Beyond 13 Major Akhadas, NTKMA Extends Facility Funding to Smaller Akhadas, Temples and Religious Institutions Ahead of Nashik Kumbh 2027

Nashik, 12th August 2026: Beyond the three major akhadas in Nashik and 10 in Trimbakeshwar that currently receive support, the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) has approved a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to extend ₹15 lakh in funding for basic infrastructure to other important akhadas and their affiliated ashrams, temples, sansthans and religious sites of significance in Nashik city and district ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening basic facilities at religious institutions that are expected to receive increased footfall during the Kumbh, while ensuring that support is extended through a structured and transparent process.

Under the approved SOP, institutions seeking support are required to submit their proposals through the prescribed process by August 25, 2026. The local screening committees constituted for the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) area and other locations in Nashik district will examine the proposals and complete the initial screening by August 31, 2026.

The proposals will subsequently be placed before the authority-level committee for further examination and processing for administrative approval.

Two-tier mechanism for screening proposals

The SOP establishes a two-tier mechanism comprising local screening committees at the NMC and district levels, followed by an authority-level committee headed by the NTKMA Commissioner. The mechanism is intended to ensure that proposals are examined systematically and that infrastructure support reaches institutions based on assessed requirements.

The local committees will examine proposals covering the institution’s registration status, ownership of the land where facilities are proposed, projected visitor footfall during the 2027 Kumbh, historical and religious significance of the site, existing facilities and the institution’s capacity to maintain the infrastructure after construction.

Proposed facilities may include basic accommodation, sanitation, drinking water, parking, health-related facilities and emergency preparedness infrastructure, based on the requirements of the respective institution. A detailed cost estimate and supporting documentation will also form part of the proposal.

The land on which the proposed facilities are to be created should belong to the concerned trust, ashram or religious institution, or to a government or local body with the required no-objection certificate. Sites under litigation will not be considered under the process.

The SOP also provides that direct demands for funding outside the prescribed proposal process will not be entertained.

Local committees to meet monthly

The local committees will meet at least once a month to examine proposals and forward their recommendations to the authority-level committee. The authority-level committee will also meet monthly to consolidate the recommendations, obtain necessary technical clearances and place the proposals before the NTKMA authority for administrative approval.

NTKMA directs NMC and Collectorate to expedite process

Alongside the SOP, NTKMA has directed the Nashik District Collectorate and Nashik Municipal Corporation to constitute and convene their respective local screening committees without delay and ensure that the prescribed timelines are followed.

For locations outside NMC limits, the district-level committee will be chaired by the Collector or an authorised officer, with representatives from the Zilla Parishad, Nashik Rural Police, Public Works Department, Water Resources Department, MSIDC, Trimbak Municipal Council and other concerned departments.

For institutions within NMC limits, the local committee will be chaired by the NMC Commissioner or an authorised officer, with representatives from the Police Commissionerate, Nashik Tehsildar, PWD, Water Resources Department, MSIDC and concerned NMC departments.

Both committees will use the standard proposal proforma prescribed under the SOP, covering site details, projected visitor footfall, existing facilities, proposed infrastructure, estimated cost and land ownership documentation.

₹15 lakh support for basic infrastructure

Under the initiative, eligible institutions will receive funding of ₹15 lakh for basic infrastructure requirements. The support is intended to help institutions strengthen essential facilities ahead of the anticipated increase in visitors during Simhastha Kumbh 2027.

The process is designed to ensure that infrastructure support is provided in a timely manner while maintaining due diligence, transparency and accountability in the examination of proposals.

“The Authority has laid down a well-defined procedure so that requests for infrastructure support ahead of Simhastha Kumbh 2027 are examined in a structured and transparent manner through designated committees at every level. This ensures due diligence on each proposal and keeps the process accountable. Eligible institutions will receive ₹15 lakh support for basic infrastructure requirements,” said Shekhar Singh, Commissioner, NTKMA.

NTKMA SOP: Facility Funding for Akhadas, Ashrams & Religious Sites — Simhastha Kumbh 2027

Coverage: Institutions beyond the 3 major Nashik and 10 Trimbakeshwar akhadas

Support: ₹15 lakh for basic infrastructure to eligible institutions

Applicable to: Akhadas, affiliated ashrams, temples, sansthans and other religious sites of significance

Proposal Deadline: August 25, 2026

Screening Deadline: August 31, 2026

Committee Structure: Two-tier mechanism — Local Committees (NMC / District) + Authority-level Committee

Review Mechanism: Local committees to screen proposals, followed by monthly review by the Authority-level Committee

Key Checks: Registration status | Land ownership | Historical and religious significance | Projected visitor footfall for 2027 | Existing facilities | Maintenance capacity

Land Requirement: Land should belong to the trust, ashram or institution, or be government/local-body land with required NOC; sites under litigation will not be considered.

Proposal Must Include: Accommodation | Sanitation | Drinking water | Parking | Health facilities | Emergency preparedness | Site details | Existing facilities | Detailed cost estimate

Funding Process: Direct demands for funds outside the prescribed proposal process will not be entertained.

Next Steps: Submit proposals by August 25 → Local committee screening by August 31 → Authority-level examination and processing → Administrative approval.