Pune: Villagers Give Conditional Nod to Relocation of Settlements around Bhimashankar Temple Ahead of Kumbh Mela, 110 Houses to be shifted to Widen Approach Road

Pune, 24th March 2026: Residents of the village settlement near Bhimashankar temple have given conditional approval to a proposal to shift the village over a 150-metre stretch, paving the way for the district administration to forward the plan to the state government.

Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi said that the administration plans to acquire the required private land and develop a new settlement within a year.

The move comes in view of the upcoming Kumbh Mela next year, during which nearly one lakh devotees are expected to visit the temple daily. Officials said the current settlement around the temple poses risks such as stampedes and fire hazards due to congestion. The presence of around 110 houses narrows access roads to the temple, making it difficult for emergency vehicles such as fire tenders and ambulances to reach the area.

Taking these concerns into account, the proposal to relocate the village was placed before residents, who have now unanimously agreed, subject to certain conditions. An official letter of consent was submitted to the district collector on Monday.

As per the proposal, around 125 families from the Bhimashankar village will be rehabilitated on 36 acres of nearby land. While the existing village area is spread over 37,000 square metres, the proposed settlement will cover around 52,000 square metres.

The new village will be equipped with key civic amenities including a gram panchayat office, primary health centre, school, community hall, market and other facilities. Officials said the relocation will also free up space around the temple for long-term development.

Under the approved plan, about 5,800 square metres of land around the temple will be cleared, allowing better crowd management and the capacity to accommodate up to 25,000 devotees at a time. The space will also improve movement during emergencies.

The administration will need to acquire around 18 to 20 acres of private land for the project. Dudi said the proposal will now be sent to the state government for approval, along with a request for funds for land acquisition and construction. “Once funds are sanctioned and legal formalities are completed, we aim to shift residents to the new homes within a year,” he said.