Urs of Shah Asrar-ud-Din Sahib (RA): Kishtwar admin finalizes arrangements

KISHTWAR: Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma today convened a meeting to finalize preparations for the celebration of the 351st Urs of Shah Asrar-ud-Din Sahib (RA), scheduled on November 10, 2026.

The arrangements discussed included accommodation for devotees, power and water supply, firewood, food rations, LPG, sanitation, security, medical services, transportation, traffic management and others.

The DC issued necessary directions to the concerned departments   regarding civic amenities, traffic regulation, safety measures, cleanliness and sanitation for smooth conduct of the event.

The Police Department was asked to ensure comprehensive security arrangements, with special focus on the revered Shrines of Shah Asrar-ud-Din Sahib (RA) and Shah Farid-ud-Din Sahib (RA), Baitul-Zaireen and other critical locations. Special Police teams shall be deployed to regulate vehicular movement, check overloading and prevent overcrowding at the parking sites, the meeting decided.

The Jal Shakti Department was directed to provide uninterrupted drinking water supply for devotees at both the shrines, accommodation sites and across the Kishtwar town, along with deployment of water tankers at Chowgan, ITI Ground and other places as required. The Municipal Council was directed to arrange an additional water tanker at Baitul-Zaireen.

The JPDCL was directed to take measures for uninterrupted power supply at the shrines, Zaireen sites and across the town with the provision of DG sets at the shrines as backup. Stress was laid on proper functioning of streetlights at Chowgan Ground and along all major streets, lanes and link roads leading to Astan Paien and Astan Balla.

The Municipal authorities were asked to carry out lime-lining and water spray in and around the shrines, cleaning of water tanks, de-choking of drains from Upper Ziarat to Lower Ziarat, while the R & B Department was directed to repair the potholes on main roads.

The MVD and Police Department were directed to arrange transport facilities, including additional buses for pilgrims and designate places for parking of vehicles. The meeting decided to restrict the entry of vehicles, besides loading, unloading and parking of heavy vehicles on the main road from Upper Ziyarat to Lower Ziyarat from and Bus Stand to Dak Bungalow from Nov 9 to Nov 10, 2026. “The heavy vehicles shall be parked at ITI and fallow land opposite SSP Office,” the DC ordered.

The NHIDCL was directed to take measures to keep the Sinthan Top route open for to-and-fro movement of the Zaireens (pilgrims). The Health Department was instructed to establish First Aid Medical Camps near both Ziarats one day before the Urs Day and to keep ambulances ready near Dak Bungalow and Hidyal Chowk.

Police and civil authorities would set up a joint Enquiry Counter to guide the devotees and to share helpline numbers of the Enquiry Centre, District Control Room and PCR on social media. The Fire and Emergency Services authorities were asked to deploy fire tenders near the Ziarats, and to check the fire hydrants installed in the town to ensure their proper functioning.

The CEO Municipal Council was directed to install separate mobile toilet units for males and females near the Ziyarats. The civic body shall also issue permission to vendors and stall owners for putting up stalls at Chowgan after obtaining NOC from Police. The KDA was directed to make the toilet complex on the upper side of Chowgan Ground functional.

The Imam Jamia Masjid, representatives from religious organizations  and the Auqaf apprised the DC of various issues and demands, to which he gave a patient hearing and assured every possible support from the District Administration. The meeting was attended by ADC Pawan Kotwal, ASP Mohammad Shafiq, Imam Jamia Masjid Farooq Ahmed Kitchloo, besides other officials.