To facilitate devotees during the Nashik Kumbhmela in July 2015, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is planning to create temporary pontoon bridges (floating bridges) on the Godavari river. The decision was made after NMC officials recently visited Allahabad to study the arrangements made for the Kumbh mela there.
The officials concerned are working on measures to manage crowd movement during the Kumbh, as lakhs of pilgrims will visit the city, particularly at Ramkund on Godavari river, to take the holy dip.
The officials plan to create temporary floating bridges on the river on the lines of those in Allahabad to facilitate smooth movement of pilgrims from one bank to another. 18 pontoon bridges connected both banks during the recent Kumbh mela in Allahabad. The official said that they are studying the project and will soon identify locations to set up bridges in Nashik.
The civic administration's preparations for Kumbh have gathered momentum, with just two years left for the event. Nashik is one of the four places where the mela is held every 12 years. The next Kumbh is being held in the city in 2015. It will begin with a flag hoisting ceremony on July 14, 2015. The first 'shahi snaan' will take place on August 29, while the second and third 'shahi snaan' will take place on September 13 and 18.
