Nashik Municipal Corporation has approved the temporary recruitment of 1,638 medical and support staff for healthcare services during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027, with Rs20.24 crore sanctioned for contractual appointments lasting three to four months.
The decision was approved by the NMC general body as part of the civic body’s preparations for the religious congregation, which is expected to bring lakhs of sadhus, devotees and tourists to Nashik. The additional workforce will be deployed across municipal hospitals and temporary healthcare facilities planned for the event, an NMC health official said.
Of the total staff approved, 1,054 personnel will be appointed for three months and 584 for four months. The recruitment plan includes 127 specialist medical officers, 141 MBBS doctors, 201 BAMS doctors, 233 staff nurses, 165 auxiliary nurse midwives, 198 pharmacists and 573 support staff.
The civic body said the expanded workforce is intended to provide adequate treatment capacity, emergency medical response and disease surveillance during the Kumbh. An influx of pilgrims can increase the pressure on hospitals and raise the risk of infectious diseases, epidemics, accidents and other medical emergencies, another civic official said.
NMC currently operates five hospitals, 30 urban primary health centres, more than 81 Arogya Vardhini centres and 25 Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Hospital and Aapla Davakhana clinics across Nashik. The temporary recruitment comes despite complaints from residents about shortcomings in the existing municipal healthcare system.
The civic body plans to strengthen its existing hospitals and establish additional temporary hospitals, health centres and intensive care units at key locations, including areas around the ghats. These facilities are expected to supplement the regular healthcare network during the event rather than form part of the corporation’s permanent staffing structure.
The Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority has separately approved an NMC proposal worth Rs40.20 crore for advanced emergency medical services during the Kumbh. The two approvals together indicate that the healthcare plan will combine temporary staffing with additional emergency facilities and equipment.
The temporary appointments will cover the period of peak demand during the congregation. NMC officials said the expanded system is intended to maintain uninterrupted healthcare services for both Nashik residents and pilgrims while supporting emergency response and disease monitoring during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
