Lakhanpur to emerge as modern food, tourism hub under centre’s new initiative: Dr.Jitendra Singh

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh Singh was given a warm welcome by local street food vendors, traders on Friday during his visit to the Lakhanpur Vendors Market. His visit follows the Government of India’s decision to include Lakhanpur among 50 towns across India to be developed as ‘Street Food Hub”  under the PM SVANidhi initiative.

Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently focused on welfare-oriented development rather than vote-oriented politics. He remarked that several long-pending projects, which had remained neglected before 2014, have been revived and implemented with renewed commitment under the present Government.

Highlighting the significance of the PM SVANidhi Scheme, the Union Minister said that for the first time in the country’s history, the welfare of street vendors has been addressed through a dedicated government initiative. He observed that street vendors had remained outside the policy focus of successive governments, but the sensitivity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured that neglected sections of society were brought into the mainstream through schemes that provide dignity, financial support and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said Lakhanpur’s selection in the first phase of the Street Food Hub initiative highlights Government’s dedication in empowering small vendors while creating organised, hygienic and visitor-friendly vending spaces.

The Minister informed that the Ministry had received 126 proposals from 32 States and Union Territories, covering 106 Urban Local Bodies and seven Census Towns. The proposed Street Food Hub at Lakhanpur will be developed across two clusters in Lakhanpur Market—one near the Old Bus Stand and the other near the Sales Tax Office. Strategically located at the gateway to Jammu & Kashmir from Pathankot and on the route to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, the location witnesses substantial movement of tourists, pilgrims and transit travellers throughout the day. Spread across 1,754.25 square metres, the hub will provide modern vending infrastructure while promoting Dogra cuisine and other local culinary traditions in a clean, organised and visitor-friendly environment.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the project has been planned keeping local welfare at its core, adding that even the tendering process has been designed to maximise benefits for local people. The hubs will showcase Dogra cuisine and other regional delicacies, strengthen local entrepreneurship and transform Lakhanpur from merely a transit point into a recognised culinary destination.

The Union Minister also announced that the gateway to Jammu & Kashmir, will be developed into an attractive entry point through a unique gateway monument and comprehensive beautification works in Lakhanpur at an estimated to cost over ₹1.5 crore. He said the project estimate has already been prepared and funds will be mobilised through the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) and other available resources.

The minister also inaugurated a statue of Maharaja Gulab Singh at Lakhanpur. Installed at the gateway to Jammu & Kashmir, the statue has emerged as an important landmark reflecting the cultural and historical identity of the region. Dr. Jitendra Singh has consistently maintained that the memorial honours Maharaja Gulab Singh’s contribution to nation-building while instilling pride among the younger generation about the history and heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.

Referring to other major development initiatives in the region, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Shahpur Kandi Project, which had remained stalled for nearly four decades, has now become operational. Along with the revived Ujh Multipurpose Project, pending for nearly a century and now in its final stages of approval, these projects will significantly improve irrigation facilities in Kathua, Samba and parts of Jammu district while ensuring better utilisation of water resources.

He further informed that approvals have been obtained for naming the Kathua Railway Station after Shaheed Captain Sunil Sharma, and expressed confidence that the formal process would be completed shortly.

Responding to queries regarding the shifting of the vehicle fitness testing facility from Kathua to Samba, Dr. Jitendra Singh clarified that the move was necessitated by the establishment of a modern, technology-driven automated testing facility at Samba. He added that the arrangement is temporary and that a proposal to establish a similar state-of-the-art facility in Kathua is already under consideration by the competent authorities.

The local street food vendors and residents thanked the Union Minister for securing the PM SVANidhi Street Food Hub for Lakhanpur, stating that the initiative would provide a clean, organised and dignified working environment for vendors while enhancing facilities for pilgrims, tourists and other visitor.