CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal/ Ujjain: Vice-Chancellor of Vikram University, Ujjain, Prof. Arpan Bhardwaj, has launched an initiative to include the university’s participation in Simhastha 2028. Earlier, he sent a team of students and faculty to Prayagraj Kumbh 2025 to study the event’s planning, and now efforts have begun to support crowd management for Simhastha in Ujjain.
In preparation for the Simhastha 2028 in Ujjain, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is implementing various schemes and infrastructure projects, which will be historic milestones for the city. In this direction, Vikram University has also stepped forward under the CM’s guidance to play a significant role.
University Registrar Anil Kumar Sharma informed that Vikram University has initiated pre-event planning for Simhastha by organizing a one-day workshop on the theme “Crowd Management and Sustainable Mobility Planning for Simhastha-2028” at the university’s Shalaka Gallery. The event was jointly organized by the School of Engineering and Technology, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Business Management, International Institute of Professional Studies, and School of Studies in Commerce.
The keynote speaker of the workshop, Prof. Ashish Verma, a mobility planning expert from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, presented his research and shared experiences. He had conducted deep studies on crowd psychology and mobility during Simhastha 2016, involving data analysis and simulations. He emphasized that this research is fully prepared to be implemented for Simhastha 2028.
Prof. Verma revealed that based on the 2016 Simhastha study, a software was developed to create a three-tier crowd management plan: low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk zones. Experts also planned what facilities should be available at what distances under the facility plan.
He highlighted the importance of sustainable transport in improving quality of life and discussed the mixed results of flyovers in Indore and Ujjain. He pointed out that such aspects also need attention in mobility planning.
Prof. Arpan Bhardwaj stated, “Simhastha 2028 is not merely a religious event but a grand spiritual festival for Ujjain and an opportunity as well. Guidance from experts like Prof. Verma will help us ensure a smooth and efficient Simhastha. Our goal is to ensure that millions of devotees face no inconvenience, while also maintaining the overall quality of the city. A sustainable mobility plan will play a vital role in achieving this objective.”
Dharmendra Singh Yadav, CTO of Town and Country Planning, remarked that Simhastha 2028 is likely to be held on a much larger scale than previous editions, and preparations must begin well in advance.
The workshop witnessed participation from academics, researchers, students, and representatives from local administration. Intense discussions were held on crowd management and sustainable mobility solutions. The insights and suggestions from this workshop are expected to significantly contribute to developing an effective and sustainable mobility plan for Simhastha 2028.
A dynamic Q&A session was also held during the workshop, attended by directors, department heads, faculty members, research scholars, and interdisciplinary students.
Meeting on Crowd Management for Simhastha 2028 Chaired by Divisional Commissioner Gupta
Before the workshop, a meeting on crowd management was held at the NIC room of the third floor of the Administrative Complex, chaired by Ujjain Divisional Commissioner Sanjay Gupta. Prof. Ashish Verma from IISc presented the plan developed by the mobility experts’ team.
District Collector Roshan Kumar Singh requested Prof. Verma to use the crowd management software on Nag Panchami. He also asked for the mobility plan to be prepared after reviewing the district’s development plan.
Prof. Arpan Bhardwaj of Vikram University and Municipal Commissioner Ashish Pathak were also present at the meeting.
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