DIG, DC review arrangements for Mahashivratri Mela 2026 at Shri Shiv Khori Shrine

REASI: To finalise arrangements for the Mahashivratri Mela 2026 scheduled from 14 to 16 February 2026, DIG Police Udhampur–Reasi Range Sarah Rizvi and Deputy Commissioner Reasi Nidhi Malik convened a high-level meeting at the VC Hall of DC Office Reasi.

The annual congregation at Shri Shiv Khori Shrine attracts thousands of devotees from across the country and is a major spiritual event in the region. The meeting focused on ensuring comprehensive, smooth and well-coordinated arrangements for conduct of the mela with emphasis on inter-departmental coordination and public convenience.

At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner stressed real-time monitoring and clear delineation of responsibilities to avoid inconvenience to pilgrims. She directed officers to maintain close coordination and complete all arrangements well before commencement of the mela.

The meeting reviewed security, traffic management, sanitation, drinking water supply, power, healthcare services, fire safety, cultural programmes, hawker regulation and crowd management. Officers presented their preparedness plans and assured full cooperation.

Assistant Director Tourism Katra informed that measures for publicity and tourist facilitation have been put in place to ensure wider outreach and convenience. Adequate signage and promotional activities are being organised to assist pilgrims. Arrangements for cultural programmes and allied activities for the inaugural event at the base camp of Shri Shiv Khori Shrine have been finalized, the meeting informed.

Tehsildar Pouni informed that permission has been granted for 18 langar stalls during the mela days. BDO Pouni informed that an adequate number of mobile toilets have been installed at key locations and a compost pit prepared for waste management. The Executive Officer Municipality informed that two additional mobile toilets and sufficient sanitation staff have been deployed to maintain cleanliness and ensure regular waste disposal and door-to-door garbage collection.

Officials of the Jal Shakti Department informed that barricading will be completed at identified locations to streamline crowd movement and water tankers positioned to ensure uninterrupted potable water supply. JPDCL assured uninterrupted power supply with backup transformers and gensets to prevent disruption.

The Motor Vehicles Department was directed to implement a comprehensive traffic management plan, regulate vehicular movement, monitor transport operators to prevent overcharging and identify designated parking and stopping points to avoid congestion.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the Health Department to deploy adequate medical teams along the pilgrimage routes and near the shrine and ensure availability of ambulances. PWD and PMGSY were instructed to undertake immediate blacktopping and pothole repairs on approach roads, clear debris and install proper signage to facilitate safe access.

The DC directed the Shrine Management to undertake beautification of surrounding areas. She further directed that fire tenders be stationed at strategic locations and that fire safety equipment be checked in advance to ensure prompt response to emergencies. The Deputy Commissioner also reviewed arrangements for the Dangal scheduled on FEBRUARY 16 as part of the mela celebrations and directed officers to ensure proper security and crowd regulation during the event.

On the security front, the DIG emphasised multi-layer security arrangements and directed departments to submit lists of hired labourers and volunteers for police verification in advance. She directed that all CCTV cameras along the track remain functional and additional temporary CCTV cameras installed at strategic points during the mela days. She instructed magistrates deployed on mela duty to remain vigilant, proactive and accessible to the public. ADDC Sukhdev Singh Samyal, ADC Rakesh Kumar, SSP Reasi Paramvir Singh, Additional SP, ACD, CEO and other concerned officers attended the meeting.