States » WestPosted at: Sep 30 2026 12:20AM


Nashik: Private tent cities to expand accommodation for Simhastha 2027 pilgrims

Bharat Ghandat
Nashik, Sep 29 (UNI) With millions of pilgrims expected to visit Nashik and Trimbakeshwar during the Simhastha Maha Kumbh Mela 2027, the Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) has introduced a comprehensive framework allowing private landowners and operators to establish temporary tent cities to accommodate the anticipated influx of visitors.
The initiative aims to augment the existing accommodation capacity while ensuring minimum standards of safety, sanitation and essential civic services during the mega religious event.
Under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), private tent cities will operate as fully serviced temporary settlements, providing accommodation, sanitation, water supply, electricity, waste management, parking, food facilities, security and emergency response arrangements.
The framework is designed to supplement the permanent infrastructure of Nashik and Trimbakeshwar during periods of exceptionally high pilgrim footfall.
Private landowners and operators holding a registered Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with landowners will be eligible to apply. The proposed sites must be privately owned, contiguous, free from encumbrances and located within Nashik district, with a minimum area of two acres.
The tent cities will be permitted to operate during the approved period between March and December 2027. All temporary structures must be dismantled after the authorised period, and the land must be restored to its original condition.
The SOP places strong emphasis on sanitation and environmental protection. Operators will be required to provide adequate toilet and bathing facilities, including accessible sanitation infrastructure.
Discharge of wastewater into rivers, nullahs or natural drainage channels will be strictly prohibited. Open dumping and burning of waste will also not be permitted.
Separate arrangements must be made for potable and non-potable water to ensure safe and reliable water supply within the tent cities.
Operators will be responsible for segregation of waste at source, daily collection through authorised agencies and disposal in accordance with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board guidelines.
Composting and biomethanation of organic waste will be encouraged wherever feasible.
Each tent city will be required to develop a coordinated emergency response plan covering fire safety, crowd management, medical emergencies, evacuation procedures and weather-related alerts.
Electrical installations will also be subject to stringent safety requirements, including insulated cabling, mandatory Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCBs) and electrical safety audits before occupancy.
These measures are intended to minimise risks and ensure the safety of pilgrims staying in temporary accommodation facilities.
The application process for setting up private tent cities will commence shortly. Applicants will be required to submit comprehensive details, including site location, land ownership documents, GPS coordinates, layout plans, number and categories of tents, parking facilities, utilities, fire-safety arrangements and operator credentials.
The applications must also be accompanied by the prescribed documents and undertakings. Proposals will subsequently be scrutinised by the respective line departments before approval.
NTKMA Commissioner Shekhar Singh said the initiative aims to create additional, well-managed accommodation capacity without placing excessive pressure on the permanent infrastructure of Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.
"The SOP establishes clear standards for safety, sanitation, waste management, mobility and emergency preparedness, while creating an opportunity for private landowners and operators to contribute to the large-scale arrangements required for Simhastha," Singh said.
The initiative is expected to play a significant role in strengthening accommodation infrastructure and supporting the large-scale arrangements required for the Simhastha Maha Kumbh Mela 2027.
UNI BHG RN
Tags: #Nashik: Private tent cities to expand accommodation for Simhastha 2027 pilgrims
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