Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Nidhi Malik, who is also the Vice Chairperson of the Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the arrangements for the Mahashivratri Mela-2026, scheduled to be held from 14th to 16th February at the revered Shri Shiv Khori Shrine.
The annual religious congregation attracts thousands of devotees from across the country. The meeting focused on ensuring smooth, safe and well-coordinated preparations. The discussions covered critical aspects including security, traffic management, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, health services, fire safety, cultural programmes, hawker management and crowd control.
Officers from all concerned departments participated and contributed to detailed planning aimed at providing a seamless experience to pilgrims. The Assistant Director Tourism, Katra, was directed to undertake special measures for publicity and tourist facilitation to ensure wider outreach and convenience of visitors.
The Tourism Department was also asked to make necessary arrangements for cultural programmes and allied activities. The Motor Vehicles Department was instructed to implement an effective traffic management plan and closely monitor transport operators to prevent overcharging.
To meet water requirements, the Jal Shakti Department was directed to ensure regular supply of safe drinking water, deploy water tankers and put in place necessary barricading at the venue. The XEN, JPDCL was tasked with ensuring uninterrupted power supply and installation of backup generators.
The PWD and PMGSY departments were instructed to blacktop roads and repair potholes on routes leading to the shrine to ensure safe and smooth access. The Shri Shiv Khori Mandli was directed to undertake beautification of the cave to provide a pleasant and spiritually enriching experience to devotees.
The CEO Reasi was instructed to deploy additional staff during the Mela to effectively manage various arrangements. Emphasis was laid on health and safety measures, with the Health Department directed to deploy medical staff along pilgrimage routes and near the shrine, along with adequate ambulance services to ensure prompt medical care.
Fire tenders will be stationed at strategic locations to address any emergencies. Sanitation and hygiene were identified as key focus areas. The ACD was directed to coordinate with BDOs to ensure proper sanitation arrangements and installation of mobile toilets.
The FCS&CA Department will ensure adequate supply of essential ration items. The Deputy Commissioner also directed the constitution of a committee for price control and market surveys, which will commence 10 days prior to the Mela. The AD Food Safety was instructed to conduct regular inspections to ensure fair pricing and availability of quality food items.
She further emphasized the provision of locker facilities for devotees to safely store their belongings during the Mela. Addressing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner stressed the importance of inter-departmental coordination and proactive planning to make Mahashivratri Mela-2026 safe, well-organized and spiritually enriching.
She emphasized that all departments must work in unison to ensure the comfort, safety and convenience of pilgrims, making the Mela a model of effective planning and management. ADDC Sukhdev Singh Samyal, ADC Rakesh Kumar, Addl. SP Ifthikar Ahmed, ACR Nitin Verma and other district officers were present in the meeting.