Simhastha on mind, MP plans floriculture centre in Ujjain

Bhopal: Flowers are as intrinsic as are logistics and security to Simhastha 2028, and the Madhya Pradesh govt is not losing sight of it. After a push for big-ticket infrastructure projects and world-class amenities for the expected 30-35 crore devotees at the mega pilgrimage event, two separate plans have now been drawn up to ramp up the supply of flowers to Ujjain.With bedding flowering plants critical to ensuring that fresh, bright and colourful petals are in flush going into Simhastha, the state has proposed a centre of excellence for floriculture at a cost of Rs 15 crore over 19 acres of land in assistance with the Centre.The centre of excellence for floriculture has been planned at Panchkoshi Marg, 16 km from Ujjain, in what would be the first unit of its kind in MP.The centre would facilitate research in flower cultivation and will also impart training to farmers in the district to increase the production of petals while also enhancing their quality.The second plan involves a cluster-based development of marigold and rose cultivation in the district that will host the grand spectacle.The marigold cultivation in Ujjain is proposed to be carried out over 1,600 hectares, TOI has learnt, while a separate plan has also been drawn up to scale up cultivation of the vibrant yellow flowers, commonly associated with floral offerings to deities, over 4,200 hectares across 25 clusters in 240 villages, considering its anticipated high demand during Simhastha.Similarly, rose cultivation in the district, which is currently spread across 68 hectares, is proposed to be scaled up to over 250 hectares in 50 villages, across 6 clusters, in Ujjain as the pilgrimage approaches, top govt sources told TOI.Charing a key meeting on Wednesday to review arrangements for Simhastha, Chief minister Mohan Yadav said flower cultivation was being promoted and expanded in a big way in his native district, in anticipation for the grand global convergence of pilgrims. He said a proposal for the floriculture centre has already been sent to the Centre and coordination is underway.Further, according to officials, the centre would involve expertise from both the central and state govts, as well as the private sector.The cluster-based development plan, it is learnt, will focus on marigold and rose, as these two varieties are offered the most in temples while they are also typically used in religious ceremonies.The state has already fleshed out an ambitious mobility plan, involving major investments in roads, highways, dedicated bypasses and last-mile connectivity, along with new bridges and overbridges to ease congestion during the event.While stressing the huge scope of raising flower cultivation in Ujjain going into Simhastha 2028, officials said the focus was on meeting the needs of visitors locally in a bid to reduce the supply chain of perishable goods, especially flowers, from other cities.