Ardha Kumbh : Rawat seeks Rs 500 crore aid from Centre

The Uttarakhand government on Wednesday sought a one-time assistance of Rs 500 crore from the Centre for the Ardha Kumbh mela that is scheduled to begin in January next.

The mela sees a vast congregation of people converge on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said the event is likely to be attended by 7-8 crore people this year and the state government is making all efforts to ensure that it passes off smoothly.