Maha Kumbh 2025 promises huge economic growth for UP

K.V. Raju, economic advisor to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, shared with The Sunday Guardian that the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 spans an expansive 10,000 acres, featuring 80,000 tents and a 12-kilometre-long ghat.

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is set to become a major economic driver for Uttar Pradesh. Historical records from the 1882 Kumbh Mela reveal that the event, organised at a cost of Rs 20,228 then, generated Rs 49,840 in revenue, yielding a net profit of Rs 29,612. Building on this tradition of economic impact, Maha Kumbh 2025 is projected to bring in an astounding Rs 25,000 crore, or more, in revenue for the state.

The Maha Kumbh’s economic significance is undeniable, as each iteration of the event substantially boosts both state and national economies. Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists to its host city. The Maha Kumbh 2025 is set to transform Prayagraj into a vibrant hub of faith and celebration, with an anticipated participation of over 40-45 crore devotees, fuelling widespread economic activity.

Beyond its religious importance, the Maha Kumbh serves as a powerful driver of economic growth, creating jobs, enhancing tourism, supporting local enterprises, and contributing significantly to India’s overall development.

The Uttar Pradesh government, in collaboration with the Central government, has allocated Rs 6,382 crore for the event, with Rs 5,600 crore designated for infrastructure and related projects. This significant investment, up from Rs 2,406.65 crore in 2019, underscores the scale and ambition of this grand event.

The Maha Kumbh is already providing a substantial boost to tourism, local businesses, and employment. Just the preparations for the Kumbh created jobs for over 45,000 families. The ripple effect extends to nearby destinations like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, and Vindhyavasini Dham, promoting regional tourism.

In line with its 2022 tourism policy, the state is enhancing visitor experiences by training service providers such as tour guides, boatmen, street vendors, and drivers. The policy aims to create 10 lakh jobs and attract Rs 20,000 crore in investments, reflecting a long-term vision for tourism development.

Spanning 4,000 hectares, the Maha Kumbh area is divided into 25 sectors, featuring 12 km of ghats, 450 km of checkered plates, 1,850 hectares of parking, 30 pontoon bridges, and 67,000 streetlights. The arrangements include 150,000 toilets, 150,000 tents, and 25,000 public accommodations, ensuring comfort for millions. A dedicated workforce of 10,000 sanitation workers will maintain cleanliness throughout the event. Infrastructure upgrades include 199 completed projects across 16 departments, such as a six-lane bridge over the Ganga and a four-lane railway over-bridge, built at a cost of Rs 275 crore to enhance connectivity.

Environmental sustainability is a core priority, with a “zero discharge” policy for rivers and a detailed action plan for major bathing festivals, including Paush Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Magh Purnima, and Mahashivratri. Modernisation efforts include a first-of-its-kind partnership with Google, enabling the temporary tent city to appear on Google Maps for seamless navigation.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 will leave a lasting legacy in Prayagraj, uplifting local businesses, creating jobs, and enhancing living standards. With its blend of tradition and innovation, spirituality and sustainability, the event promises to be a historic milestone of cultural and economic significance.

K.V. Raju, economic advisor to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, shared with The Sunday Guardian that the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 spans an expansive 10,000 acres, featuring 80,000 tents and a 12-kilometre-long ghat. With an estimated 40 crore devotees expected to attend, the event is projected to generate an economic turnover of approximately Rs160,000 crore. This estimate is based on an average spend of Rs 4,000 per person, covering expenses such as airfare, taxi and bus fares, accommodation, food, and local travel, which significantly boost the local economy. Notably, this figure excludes additional purchases like souvenirs and clothing, underscoring the event’s immense economic potential.

K.V. Raju highlighted the significant economic activity driven by tent accommodations, priced between Rs 1,500 and Rs 15,000 per person, alongside associated food expenses. Various sectors will benefit from this surge in consumption. For instance, approximately 10,000 boats from states like West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat will operate during the event, earning boat operators at least Rs 1,000 daily. Employment generation will be substantial, with the management of 145,000 toilets requiring at least three workers per toilet daily and the setting up and maintenance of 80,000 tents involving around four workers each, creating approximately 40,000 jobs. Parking arrangements for five lakh cars alone are expected to generate over one lakh jobs.

Tourism’s multiplier effect is a key driver of this economic boom, Raju explained. Each tourist visit indirectly supports the employment of four individuals across sectors like transportation, hospitality, and food services. Uttar Pradesh’s tourism sector is poised for extraordinary growth, with a 40% increase in activity compared to the previous year. Beyond the Maha Kumbh, the state has already recorded 60 crore tourists visiting destinations like Varanasi, Ayodhya, and others, contributing to what is expected to be Uttar Pradesh’s highest tourism-driven economic output.