In view of forthcoming annual Shri Machail Mata Yatra 2026, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma along with the SSP Naresh Singh conducted a comprehensive review of arrangements during their two-day visit to Paddar, including a meeting at Gulabgarh and a public darbar at Machail.
The Yatra is scheduled to commence on April 14, 2026 and is expected to witness the participation of lakhs of devotees.
During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner convened a meeting at Gulabgarh to review the preparedness of the stakeholder departments. Later, the team proceeded to Machail, where the DC conducted an on-ground inspection and convened a public outreach camp.
The Deputy Commissioner reviewed the progress of ongoing development works, with focus on road connectivity, bridge construction and creation of basic facilities.
He directed the concerned departments to ensure adequate provision of basic amenities, including drinking water, electricity supply, sanitation facilities and healthcare services, for the convenience and safety of pilgrims.
The DC also informed this year the administration would issue RFID cards and the RFID-based tracking system shall be made fully operational before the start of the Yatra, noting that more than 90% of the work for the same has been completed.
He further stressed the need to create awareness among pilgrims regarding the usage of such cards for effective crowd management and security.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the Police Department to strengthen security arrangements with additional deployment of personnel, installation of surveillance systems and establishment of checkpoints along the Yatra route.
He directed the BRO to construct a temporary Bailey bridge at Village Chishoti on the Atholi–Machail Road for better connectivity, as the previous bridge was washed away in last year’s cloudburst. He informed that the work on the permanent bridge shall be taken up subsequently by the BRO.
The PMGSY Department was directed to expedite work on the Atholi–Pallali Road and speed up the construction of the Massu Bridge to improve connectivity.
The PWD (R&B) Department was directed to complete ongoing works at Machail, including the Yatri Bhawan and Tehsil Office and to put in place an effective queue management system for the smooth conduct of the Yatra.