Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma today chaired a meeting to review the preparedness and arrangements for Shri Machail Mata Ji Yatra 2026. SDM Paddar Dr Amit Kumar presented the arrangements on the ground and informed that sanitation workers have been deployed along the Yatra route and mobile toilet units installed at Gulabgarh, Tatapani and Darshani Gate, while parking for around 60-70 vehicles has been created at Darshani Gate, besides space at Gulabgarh.
Drinking water and langar facilities are also in place. The DC directed the Executive Engineer PMGSY to preposition machinery at vulnerable spots and maintain the stretches from Gulabgarh to Darshani Deodi, Machail and the BRO to keep landslide-prone locations, including Patharnaki under continuous watch with machinery and emergency response measures ready.
The Police Department and Traffic Police were directed to manage traffic at all critical points and the RFID card system implemented strictly, with registration mandatory for all pilgrims. SSP Kishtwar Naresh Singh informed the meeting that Security Check Units with X-ray machines have been established at Darshani Gate and other vulnerable locations.
Commanding Officer 17 RR apprised the meeting of the security arrangements and the medical units being set up along the route. The Executive Engineer JPDCL was directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply at all halting points and install an additional DG set at Darshani Gate, Machail.
The DC also directed that the entire Yatra area be maintained as a plastic-free zone, with eco-friendly carry bags encouraged under the Zero-Plastic Initiative. The CMO apprised the meeting that health centres have been established at 16 locations from Drabshalla to Machail, with six 108 ambulances at strategic locations and one additional ambulance at Darshani Gate.
The Indian Army has established medical tents at Machail. The Deputy Commissioner reiterated that a daily limit of 8,000 Yatris has been fixed for darshan and directed that three-hourly weather forecasts be submitted to the Control Room, DC Office Kishtwar.
The Sanatan Dharma Sabha, led by its President Mahant Ram Saran Dass Ji Maharaj, along with members of the Sabha and Sarv Shakti Sevak Sanstha, raised several issues, on which the Deputy Commissioner issued directions on the spot.
The DC launched the new SOPs and advisory, under which online registration has been made mandatory. Pilgrims can register through the official portal by completing OTP verification and adding the details of accompanying family members. The Yatra stands deferred till July 27 due to inclement weather and will resume on July 28 subject to an assessment of the weather by the district administration.
Among those present were SSP Kishtwar Naresh Singh, ADC Kishtwar Pawan Kotwal, Col N Arun Gandhi CO 17 RR, SDM Paddar Dr Amit Kumar, CMO Kishtwar Dr Sanjay Bhat, ARTO Kishtwar Tasleem Wani, DIO NIC Kishtwar Faizal Khan, Executive Engineer REW RDD Kishtwar Er Satbir Singh, Executive Engineer PWD R&B Paddar Er Gurjeet Singh, DTI Kishtwar Anil Raina, besides representatives of the Sanatan Dharma Sabha and Sarv Shakti Sevak Sanstha and officers from the Army, BRO and other departments concerned.