The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 witnessed a historic economic boost, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, highlighting the significant financial impact on various sectors. 
He also lauded success stories that emerged from the grand event, specifically of a boatman&rsquo;s family, which reportedly earned ₹30 crore in just 45 days.
The Mela saw over 66 crore devotees participating in the religious gathering. The Mehra family, which operates 130 boats, saw a continuous demand for their services. Each boat reportedly earned between ₹50,000 and ₹52,000 per day, ferrying pilgrims for their sacred bath in the holy waters of the Ganga. CM Adityanath underscored this as a testament to the economic opportunities created by the massive influx of visitors.
&ldquo;I am telling the success story of a boatman&rsquo;s family. They own 130 boats and, in 45 days, have profited ₹30 crore. This means each boat earned approximately ₹23 lakh. Their daily earnings ranged between ₹50,000 and ₹52,000 per boat,&rdquo; said CM Adityanath, emphasizing the financial windfall generated during the festival.
The Maha Kumbh Mela was not just a religious spectacle but also a well-organized economic driver. The state government invested ₹7,500 crore in infrastructure development, significantly benefiting the hotel, food, and transportation industries. Over 200 roads were widened, 14 flyovers, nine underpasses, and 12 corridors were constructed to facilitate smooth operations during the event.
The Mehra family, which has over 500 members engaged in the boat business, expressed their gratitude for the arrangements made by the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government. They revealed that not a single day during the 45-day festival went by without their boats being occupied. In addition to their own fleet of over 100 boats, they also brought in vessels from nearby regions to accommodate the surge of pilgrims.
Boat operator Pintu Mehra and his mother, Shuklawati, were overwhelmed with joy, celebrating their financial success by distributing sweets to neighbours. &ldquo;The arrangements made by the government ensured an increase in devotees, which in turn provided us with this hard-earned wealth. This is nothing short of divine blessings,&rdquo; said Pintu Mehra.
The family acknowledged that never before had the Nishad (boatmen) community received such recognition and employment opportunities. &ldquo;For the first time, boatmen like us have witnessed such prosperity. This government has given us both respect and work,&rdquo; said Shuklawati, adding that their family had never seen such financial gains before.
Meanwhile, the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 has been hailed as a crime-free event, with CM Adityanath stating that despite the presence of 66 crore people, no incidents of harassment, robbery, or major crimes were reported.
The economic impact of the event has sparked discussions about revenue generation, with estimates suggesting a ₹3 lakh crore boost across multiple sectors. 
The Maha Kumbh also saw over 7,000 vendors participating, with 2,000 trained in digital payments. A large tent city with 3,000 kitchens and 1.5 lakh toilets was set up to accommodate the massive gathering, showcasing the scale of arrangements made for the religious event.
For the Mehra family and countless others, the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 was more than just a spiritual journey&mdash;it was a transformative economic opportunity that changed their fortunes.
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Boats were an essential part of the Maha Kumbh’s success

Economic boom driven by 66 crore devotees who descended on Prayagraj over 45 days

How Did Boatman’s Fam Earn ₹30 Cr at Maha Kumbh?

Economic boom driven by 66 crore devotees who descended on Prayagraj over 45 days

March 5, 2025 | 14:51 IST