The mega event Kumbh Mela is one of the most awaited events to take place in Nashik. Preparations to welcome the extravaganza have been incorporated by Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC). These arrangements require adequate funds and hence the NMC has requested the state government to release the same at the earnest.
According to the last meeting held on 19th August primarily for the mega event, NMC was stated to start the infrastructural works as soon as the monsoon ends, and the tender works to be completed before monsoon. As per the previous records Rs.448 crore was the cost of the last Kumbh Mela. This time the NMC has requested to release Rs.1060 crore from the state government.
“The tender process will be completed soon and we will need the funds immediately for the infrastructural works. We have sent the letter to the state government. We have not quoted any amount but have asked for releasing the funds so that we can start with the work,” said the incharge of NMC’s Kumbh mela committee U B Pawar. The letter has been forwarded on Monday evening to the State Chief Secretary and High Power Committee Chairman of the Kumbh Mela, Mr. Jayant Kumar Banthia and Mr. Shrikant Sinha, the principal secretary of urban development.
On the following uncertain conditions, the NMC official said, “On this backdrop, we had floated the tenders. The process of floating tenders of around Rs 500 crore is underway. We had floated a tender of Rs 330 crore a month back, and on Sunday, we floated another one of Rs 150 crore. By the end of this month, the process will be completed and we will have to begin the work immediately, for which, we will need funds. We have asked the state government to start releasing the funds. The government has made a provision of Rs 350 crore in the budget, of which, Rs 50 crore has been set aside for Trimbakeshwar. We want at least Rs 300 crore to be released immediately.”
The funds acquired will be put into action as soon as released so that the city is ready to cater all the needs of the forthcoming event.
