KISHTWAR: Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma on Friday reviewed preparedness for the Shri Machail Mata Ji Yatra 2026 and announced that the pilgrimage has been deferred till July 27 due to inclement weather.
Addressing a review meeting, the Deputy Commissioner said the district administration would reassess the weather conditions before allowing the pilgrimage to resume from July 28. The shrine’s Kapaat will reopen on July 25 as per religious rituals, to be performed by the priests and local residents at Machail.
According to an official statement, online registration and RFID cards have been made mandatory for all pilgrims this year. Authorities said the RFID system would help monitor pilgrim movement and regulate crowds at vulnerable and landslide-prone stretches along the route.
The Deputy Commissioner said a daily cap of 8,000 pilgrims has been fixed and travel will be permitted only between 5 am and 5 pm. Pilgrims have been advised to complete online registration before undertaking the Yatra.
Reviewing arrangements, the Deputy Commissioner was informed that sanitation workers have been deployed along the route, mobile toilets installed at Gulabgarh, Tatapani and Darshani Gate, and drinking water, langar and parking facilities put in place.
He directed the PMGSY and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to keep machinery ready at vulnerable locations, while the Police and Traffic departments were asked to ensure smooth traffic management and strict implementation of the RFID system.
The Chief Medical Officer informed the meeting that health facilities have been established at 16 locations between Drabshalla and Machail, supported by six 108 ambulances and an additional ambulance at Darshani Gate. The Indian Army has also set up medical tents at Machail.
The Deputy Commissioner directed that the Yatra route be maintained as a plastic-free zone and launched the new standard operating procedures (SOPs) and advisory for the pilgrimage.
Senior officials from the civil administration, police, Army, BRO and representatives of the Sanatan Dharma Sabha attended the meeting, the statement said.
