Three helipads planned, tourism dept to push heli tourism for Kumbh in Nashik

Nashik: As part of preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled to be held in 2027, three helipads have been planned to ferry pilgrims and facilitate movement of VIPs and senior leaders visiting the city during the mega religious event.The helipads will be developed by the state tourism department in coordination with the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA).The initiative is aimed at easing traffic congestion on roads and ensuring faster mobility and emergency response, particularly on peak bathing days of the Kumbh Mela, when the city is expected to witness an unprecedented influx of devotees.Speaking to TOI, NTKMA commissioner Shekhar Singh said three locations — two within the city limits and one in the rural parts of Nashik — have been identified for developing helipads ahead of the Kumbh."The locations are yet to be finalised, but helipads will help ferry pilgrims and also facilitate movement of VIPs and senior leaders during the Kumbh Mela," Singh said, adding that the proposal is part of efforts to reduce pressure on the city's road network.During the last Simhastha Kumbh Mela held in Nashik in 2015, a few private operators had offered helicopter services connecting Nashik with Trimbakeshwar and Shirdi. Similarly, during the recent Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj, several private companies operated helicopter services to ferry pilgrims from nearby destinations.Confirming the tourism department's plans, Nandkumar Raut, deputy director, directorate of tourism, Nashik, said the department has asked the Kumbh Mela Authority to earmark suitable locations for helipads to introduce helicopter services during the Kumbh period. "We are planning heli tourism circuits in Nashik, including helicopter services from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar and other religious places. Joyrides are also proposed to be introduced during the Kumbh Mela," Raut said.The previous Kumbh Mela in Nashik in 2015 had drawn around 2.5 crore devotees. For the upcoming event, authorities estimate a massive footfall of nearly 12 crore devotees. The three main Amrit Snans, considered the most auspicious holy baths, are scheduled between Aug and Sept 2027.Given the projected surge in pilgrims, several infrastructure upgrades are underway in the city. An additional terminal building with a capacity to handle 1,000 passengers at a time is being constructed at Nashik airport. The existing terminal building currently has a seating capacity of about 300 passengers.Around Rs 600 crore is being invested by the state govt for airport expansion, while an additional Rs600 crore is being spent by defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which manages the airport, on developing a parallel runway, procuring equipment and related works.Apart from airport expansion, authorities are also exploring ways to further boost helicopter services in and around Nashik during the Kumbh Mela 2027 to manage the anticipated surge in visitors and ensure smoother logistics.