Appoints nodal officers across Valley
Srinagar, Jun 06: The Kashmir administration has geared up for Muharram-ul-Haram 1448 Hijri/2026, with Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, appointing nodal officers for all districts and major departments across the Valley to ensure smooth arrangements during the religious observance.
According to an official order issued, senior officers have been designated for Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian districts to coordinate Muharram-related arrangements and ensure timely redressal of public grievances.
The order states that nodal officers have also been nominated from several departments, including Rural Development, Health Services, Urban Local Bodies, R&B, KPDCL, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), PHE Jal Shakti, RTC Kashmir, LCMA, Forest and Transport Department.
The officers will oversee essential services such as electricity, drinking water supply, sanitation, transport facilities, healthcare services and road connectivity during Muharram processions and gatherings across Kashmir.
Dr Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, Deputy Director in the Office of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, has been appointed as the nodal officer for overall coordination at the divisional level.
The Div Com also chaired a high-level meeting of senior officers and stakeholders in Srinagar to review preparedness and ensure smooth, peaceful and hassle-free observance of religious rituals and processions across the Valley, officials said.
The meeting focused on civic, infrastructural, logistical, and administrative preparations, with special attention to inter-departmental coordination and community engagement. MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi highlighted issues in Shia areas, including uninterrupted water and electricity supply, road repairs, street lighting, and medical deployment.
Stakeholders demanded enhanced sanitation, fumigation, firewood, ration, LPG, stray dog mitigation, water tankers, streamlined permissions, traffic management, parking solutions, and shuttle services.
The Div Com instructed Deputy Commissioners to appoint nodal officers, share contact details, and prepare district-wise checklists to address short-term issues promptly, with larger concerns included in future plans.
Departments like PHE and KPDCL were directed to ensure a continuous water and power supply, while necessary supplies were to be adequately distributed.
The Srinagar Municipal Corporation was tasked with intensified sanitation drives, and health officials were instructed to deploy medical teams and ambulances at key sites. Muharram holds profound religious significance, especially for Shia Muslims, marked by mourning processions and prayers—(KNO)
