A municipal meeting in Trimbakeshwar turned stormy after officials from the Kumbh Mela Authority failed to attend, leaving residents and elected representatives seeking answers over demolitions, compensation and development plans for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
The nagar sabha was convened by the Trimbakeshwar municipal council after residents complained about the loss of shops and houses, daily inconvenience and a lack of information about infrastructure works being undertaken for the religious gathering. The meeting was chaired by municipal council president Triveni Tungar in the presence of MLA Hiraman Khoskar and tehsildar Govind Jadhav.
Residents questioned the purpose of the meeting in the absence of the officials responsible for taking decisions on the Kumbh-related works. They also criticised what they described as a lack of coordination between departments and alleged that locals had been displaced without being adequately consulted.
Shopkeeper Ramesh Bhusare said his business had been removed without an alternative arrangement. “What about my shop and earning of bread and butter for me and my family? You took away the shop but didn’t give any alternate arrangement for me,” he said. Bhusare also questioned why major development activity had accelerated only during the past year despite the Kumbh Mela being held every 12 years.
Residents further raised concerns about the demolition of houses and shops within the town while development work was also being undertaken outside it to decentralise the movement of pilgrims. The residents said the authorities had not provided sufficient information about the plans or explained how affected families and businesses would be rehabilitated.
Keshav Gaikwad, another resident, compared the compensation concerns in Trimbakeshwar with property acquisition for expansion works in Kashi. He questioned why a similar compensation approach was not being applied locally. The report did not specify the compensation amounts offered to affected residents or the number of properties demolished.
The meeting also brought criticism from citizens, elected representatives and saints over the manner in which the development work was being carried out. Their concerns included alleged unfulfilled rehabilitation assurances, inadequate communication and the timing of the works.
Tehsildar Govind Jadhav heard the grievances and assured residents that he would convey their concerns to the authorities concerned. He said a comprehensive report on the proceedings would be forwarded to senior officials.
The meeting ended without the presence of Kumbh Mela Authority officials who could respond directly to the residents’ questions. The next step identified during the meeting is the forwarding of the proceedings report to senior officials for consideration of the grievances.
