KATRA : Deputy Commissioner Reasi Kumar Abhishek Saturday chaired a meeting at the Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra, to review the preparations and arrangements for the upcoming Navratra Festival 2026.
Senior officers from line departments and representatives of concerned agencies briefed the Deputy Commissioner on the arrangements being put in place for the nine-day festival. The meeting reviewed key aspects including sanitation, drinking water, power supply, traffic management, security, healthcare, accommodation, illumination, venue preparedness and other essential facilities for pilgrims, tourists and the general public.
Detailed discussions were also held on the proposed Shobha Yatra, Prabhat Pheris, All India Devotional Song Competition, Cultural Programmes, Bhagwat Katha, Wrestling Competition, Kavi Sammelan and other religious and cultural events.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the Tourism Department and all other concerned departments and agencies to maintain close coordination and effective execution of these programmes. He noted that the Tourism Department has a key role in coordinating and facilitating the conduct of the scheduled events. He stressed upon timely completion of all preparations, proper crowd management and provision of adequate facilities at all venues for the smooth and successful conduct of the programmes.
Emphasizing the importance of cleanliness during the festival, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Executive Officer Municipal Committee Katra to take measures for effective waste management, adequate deployment of sanitation personnel and regular monitoring of cleanliness at major public locations.
The PWD was directed to complete all necessary repair, maintenance and infrastructure works at the identified venues well in advance. The Health Department was asked to ensure adequate medical facilities, deployment of medical teams and availability of essential medicines at designated locations.
The Traffic Department was directed to put in place a comprehensive traffic management plan and identify adequate parking spaces to facilitate smooth vehicular movement and prevent congestion during the festival. The JPDCL was asked to ensure uninterrupted power supply along with adequate backup arrangements, while the Jal Shakti Department was directed to ensure regular and adequate water supply at all festival venues and important locations.
The Deputy Commissioner further directed the concerned agencies to ensure adequate illumination of major roads, public areas, important locations and festival venues, with all lighting arrangements completed well before the commencement of the festival.
Senior Superintendent of Police Reasi Mukund Tibrewal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, Joint Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Satish Sharma, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Katra and other officers and officials were present in the meeting.
