Corporators walk out Kumbh Mela meeting due to delay and miscommunication
Nashik: With less than a year remaining for the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela, a crucial meeting between the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) and Nashik Municipal Corporation corporators on Tuesday was overshadowed by confusion and protests after nearly 70 corporators walked out, citing poor coordination and lack of communication from officials. The meeting, scheduled for 5.30pm at NMC auditorium in Hirawadi, began only around 7pm, by which time a majority of the corporators had already left in protest after waiting for more than an hour. Corporators alleged that not only were senior officials absent, but no explanation was given for the delay. Some also complained that presentation arrangements were not in place while they waited for the meeting to begin.
Water supply and sewage projects have also been planned keeping the city’s long-term infrastructure needs in mind,” he said. Responding to the criticism, Singh defended the project’s prioritisation process. “Only those roads considered essential from the Kumbh Mela perspective were initially approved. Subsequently, some additional roads proposed by NMC were also sanctioned as per the requirement.
Singh, Khatri, mayor Himagauri Aher and deputy mayor Vilas Shinde reached the venue only around 6.45pm, by which time many corporators had already walked out. The meeting eventually proceeded with only 30 to 40 corporators present. Those who stayed raised several concerns, including the Kumbh Mela Authority’s decision to approve only 28 of the 60 roads proposed by the civic body for Kumbh-related development works.
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“Kumbh Mela Authority chairman Praveen Gedam had to attend an urgent video conference with a minister after an authority meeting,” Singh said. NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri said she was occupied with a meeting of the Nashik Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (NMPML) board and other official engagements. He said the authority would ensure better coordination and communication with elected representatives in future, as preparations for the Kumbh Mela enter a critical phase.
The high-voltage scene unfolded despite the meeting’s importance, as elected representatives were expected to review the progress of infrastructure projects planned for the mega religious gathering. NTKMA commissioner Shekhar Singh later apologised for the delay, attributing it to a scheduling conflict involving senior officials. Corporators also questioned the simultaneous digging of roads across the city, saying it was causing widespread inconvenience to residents. In an attempt to defuse the situation, Singh apologised again for the miscommunication and assured corporators that another meeting would be convened within the next few days. Download the TOI App.