Ramkund road works and riverfront upgrades have accelerated in Nashik ahead of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s scheduled review of preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela and the Dhwajarohan ceremony on October 31, according to civic officials.
Fadnavis is scheduled to inspect Ramkund and adjoining stretches of the Godavari river during his visit on Sunday. The area is being prepared for the Dhwajarohan ceremony, which will eventually be held in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, the Nashik Municipal Corporation said.
Construction and beautification work has gathered pace at several sites around Ramkund. The wider riverfront package includes sewerage and storm-water drainage upgrades, rectification of stone masonry, electrical cable laying and the shifting of allied utilities.
The restoration of the traditional stone steps at Ramkund is in its final stages and is expected to be completed shortly. The civic body has also intensified cleaning operations at Ramkund and along adjoining stretches of the Godavari.
“Around 80% of the debris has already been cleared, and the remainder will be removed by Saturday evening,” an NMC official said. The official added that the work was part of the pre-planned schedule for the October 31 Dhwajarohan ceremony and was not being undertaken solely because of the chief minister’s visit.
Road repair activity has also increased across key city arteries. The NMC public works department has used asphalt to fill potholes and repair damaged stretches over the past two days. Civic officials said the repairs formed part of the routine post-monsoon maintenance programme, following the retreat of seasonal rainfall.
NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri and Kumbh Mela Authority commissioner Shekhar Singh have been conducting regular site inspections to monitor the ongoing works. On Friday, additional municipal commissioner Pradeep Chaudhari and city engineer Sanjay Agrawal inspected the Ramkund precinct and assessed its readiness for the ceremony.
The inspection comes as Nashik prepares for infrastructure and public-space requirements linked to the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The immediate works at Ramkund combine event preparation with repairs to drainage, utilities, riverfront structures and surrounding roads. Officials are expected to review the progress of these works during the chief minister’s visit on Sunday.
