Div Com Kashmir takes stock of Muharram arrangements

Srinagar, Jun 6: Ahead of the forthcoming Muharram-ul-Haram, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, today chaired a high-level meeting of senior officers and stakeholders to review preparedness and ensure the smooth, peaceful and hassle-free observance of religious rituals and processions across the Valley.

The meeting focused on assessing civic, infrastructural, logistical and administrative arrangements required during the holy month, with special emphasis on inter-departmental coordination and sustained engagement with community representatives.

During the meeting, MLA Budgam, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, highlighted several issues requiring attention in Shia-dominated areas to facilitate mourners. The Deputy Director Planning, Divisional Commissioner’s Office, was designated as the Divisional-level Nodal Officer for coordination and monitoring of arrangements. Garg instructed Deputy Commissioners to prepare detailed district-wise checklists of requirements and ensure that all short-term issues are addressed on priority. He further directed that larger developmental concerns raised by stakeholders be incorporated into future planning frameworks.

To facilitate smooth movement of mourners and processions, the Divisional Commissioner directed the preparation of a comprehensive list of roads requiring repair and macadamization in Shia-dominated areas and instructed the concerned departments to ensure timely execution of necessary works.
The Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) were directed to ensure uninterrupted water and electricity supply throughout the Muharram period. Additional water tankers shall also be deployed in areas witnessing higher demand. The Divisional Commissioner further directed the concerned departments to ensure adequate availability and timely distribution of essential supplies, including firewood, ration and LPG, in areas where demand is expected to increase during the observance.

To ensure the peaceful conduct of all religious events, Garg stressed the need for foolproof security arrangements through close coordination among Police, civil administration and security agencies.