UP CM defends Maha Kumbh, says a family earned ₹30 crore over 45 days with 130 boats

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath strongly defended the Maha Kumbh’s economic and infrastructural impact during a discussion on the 2025-26 state budget in the Assembly on Tuesday. Countering the opposition’s allegations, he emphasized that the grand religious event in Prayagraj generated significant revenue and benefited multiple sectors.

Also read: DK Shivakumar takes holy dip at Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela

Adityanath dismissed claims of exploitation of boatmen, citing the example of a family that reportedly earned ₹30 crore over 45 days with 130 boats. He detailed their daily earnings of approximately ₹50,000 per boat, refuting allegations of financial distress among them.

The chief minister also lauded the seamless management of the event, noting that over 66 crore devotees and tourists attended without any major criminal incidents. He highlighted the substantial investments made for Maha Kumbh, stating that ₹7,500 crore was allocated not just for the event but for lasting infrastructural upgrades. Key projects included road widening, flyovers, underpasses, and corridor developments.

Adityanath outlined the financial benefits of the religious gathering, estimating a record ₹3 lakh crore in overall business. Sectors like hospitality, transport, food, and religious offerings saw substantial gains, with the hotel industry alone witnessing ₹40,000 crore in revenue.