KISHTWAR: Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma today chaired a meeting at the Conference Hall of the New DC Office Complex to review and finalise arrangements for the smooth, safe and peaceful celebration of Deepawali across the district.
The Deputy Commissioner directed officers of all line departments to take every necessary precaution to prevent untoward incidents during the festivities. He stressed the importance of public awareness, particularly urging parents to ensure that children do not use firecrackers without adult supervision.
He instructed departments to strictly follow the prescribed guidelines and implement the arrangements discussed in the meeting in a timely manner. The review covered law and order, cleanliness and sanitation, uninterrupted essential services and effective crowd management, with the aim of ensuring a peaceful and joyous festival throughout the district.
Police officials briefed the meeting on security arrangements in Kishtwar town, its adjoining areas and around religious places. Similar measures have been put in place in all sub-divisions and tehsils to maintain peace and order.
The Jal Shakti Department outlined steps to ensure an adequate supply of drinking water during the festival. Water tankers will be deployed at Chowgan Ground, ITI Ground and other identified locations. The department will also coordinate the barricading arrangements at Chowgan Ground for the sale of firecrackers.
Engineers from JPDCL informed the meeting about measures to maintain uninterrupted power supply in the town, adjoining areas and at religious places. Corporation authorities were directed to deploy field staff on the main festival day to respond to any emergencies.
The Health and AYUSH Departments will establish first-aid camps near Dak Bungalow. All PHCs, CHCs and sub-centres will remain functional round the clock, with adequate medical staff, ambulances and medicines available to handle emergencies. The Health Department will also ensure the availability of emergency equipment and treatment facilities for burn victims and patients with respiratory problems.
Municipal authorities will undertake a special cleanliness and sanitation drive around temples and public gathering places, and ensure the repair of streetlights.
Emphasising consumer protection, the Deputy Commissioner directed officials to ensure the availability of quality commodities and keep a close watch on black marketing. A joint market-checking team comprising the Tehsildar, Assistant Director FCS&CA, CEO Municipal Council, SHO, District Food Safety Officer and Assistant Controller Legal Metrology was constituted to conduct regular inspections beginning today.
The team will ensure that rate lists are displayed, inspect the quality of sweets and other food items, and take strict action against violators under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The FCS&CA Department was directed to ensure adequate supplies of atta and rice, as well as home delivery of LPG across the district, to prevent inconvenience to the public.
The Assistant Director, Fire and Emergency Services, was directed to station fire tenders at Hidyal Chowk, Bus Stand and Dak Bungalow from November 6 to November 8, 2026.
To ensure smooth vehicular movement, the District Police, Motor Vehicles Department and traffic wing were directed to prepare an action plan covering traffic management and parking arrangements and to prevent congestion during the festival.
The meeting was attended by CEO KDA Kaiser Bhawani; ASP Mohammad Shafiq; ACD Manoj Kumar; Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti, Rohit Wadera; Executive Engineer, JPDCL, Abdul Hamid; Executive Engineer, PWD R&B, Shamis Din; DSHO; DO Food Safety; and members of the Sanatan Dharma Sabha.


