Supreme Court Judge Prasan B. Varale, speaking on the need to improve education, stated that if the government allocated just 0.1% of the funds designated for the Singhast Kumbh fair to education, the education system could undergo significant changes.
He made this statement during a visit to a school in the Dhule district, Maharashtra state. Judge Varale reported that the budget allocated for the Kumbh fair in Nashik is estimated at approximately 32,000–34,000 crore rupees. He emphasized that even if 0.1% of this amount, which is about 32 crore rupees, were spent on schools, it would prevent the closure of 100–125 Marathi-medium schools in the state.
Expressing concern over the continuously declining education budget in the state, he seriously worried about the poor condition of government schools. He clarified, however, that he does not object to the government spending thousands of crore rupees on development projects or religious events, but he insisted that vital aspects like basic education cannot be ignored.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis previously presented ambitious plans to implement advanced technologies at the Kumbh fair, which will take place in 2027. The goal of this initiative is to ensure a more convenient and high-quality experience for the large number of pilgrims attending the fair.
During the Kumbh fair, real-time monitoring and data analysis systems are planned to be used to control crowd density. This will allow tracking of pilgrim movements and assisting in maintaining order and safety during periods of increased crowds.
Reliable communication networks will be established for pilgrims to ensure better connectivity. This will help them stay in touch with their families and access necessary services.
Internet of Things (IoT) based facilities will also be implemented at the Kumbh fair. These include smart lighting, waste management systems, and water distribution systems. These measures aim to enhance the overall organization and sustainability of the fair.