Chairs high-level review meeting; calls for coordinated arrangements; CM Secretariat to oversee arrangements
Srinagar, Jun 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the arrangements being put in place for the smooth observance of Muharram-2026 across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary; Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma; Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani; Members of Legislative Assembly Tanvir Sadiq (Zadibal), Ali Mohammad Dar (Chadoora), Aga Muntazir Mehdi (Budgam), Dr Shafi Ahmad Wani (Beerwah), Javed Reyaz Bedar (Pattan), Hilal Akbar Lone (Sonawari), Shamima Firdous (Habba Kadal) and Salman Sagar (Hazratbal).
President of All J&K Shia Association Imran Raza Ansari, representatives of various Shia organizations, clerics, civil society members and community leaders also participated in the meeting.
Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwini Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Tourism, Ashish Chandra Verma, administrative secretaries, both the Divisional Commissioners, all Deputy Commissioners, heads of departments and other senior officers were also present. Officers from outside Srinagar attended the meeting through virtual mode.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized that preparations for Muharram had been underway for considerable time and that today’s meeting was aimed at reviewing the progress made so far and identifying any remaining gaps.
“The preparations for Muharram have not started today. Extensive groundwork has already been undertaken at the district, divisional and departmental levels. This meeting provides an opportunity to collectively review the arrangements, assess what has been accomplished and ensure that whatever remains is completed well in time,” he said.
The Chief Minister noted that Deputy Commissioners, community representatives, elected representatives and departmental officers had already held extensive consultations at the grassroots level. He said the Government was committed to ensuring that all arrangements are put in place in a coordinated and efficient manner.
“Like every year, the Government will make every possible effort to ensure that there are no shortcomings and that all necessary facilities are provided to the people during Muharram,” he added.
During the meeting, special focus was laid on uninterrupted power supply. Referring to concerns raised by public representatives and community leaders, the Chief Minister directed the Power Development Department to ensure regular electricity supply at all major congregation venues and procession routes.
He stressed the need for adequate backup arrangements, including generators, battery-inverter systems. He also directed that generators be deployed at major congregation points to prevent any disruption in power supply. CM called on concerned departments to explore the possibility of roof-top solarization of all major Imam Baras in J&K.
Reviewing drinking water arrangements, the Chief Minister directed the Jal Shakti Department to ensure uninterrupted supply of potable water in all affected areas. He emphasized that water tankers deployed during Muharram must provide clean drinking water and that static water distribution points should be established wherever movement of tankers may be difficult or where large gatherings are expected.
The Chief Minister also reviewed sanitation and cleanliness measures and directed Urban Local Bodies to intensify cleaning operations, particularly around Imambaras, procession routes and major congregation venues.
He instructed the concerned authorities to deploy additional manpower wherever required and ensure continuous sanitation services throughout the Muharram period. Referring to earlier directions, he called for close coordination between municipal authorities and the Fire & Emergency Services Department to facilitate effective road washing and cleaning through the use of high-pressure water hoze fire tenders, wherever required.
On health preparedness, the Chief Minister directed the Health and Medical Education Department to ensure the deployment of adequate medical personnel, ambulances, critical care ambulances, emergency response teams and medical camps at strategic locations.
He stressed that all arrangements should remain fully operational throughout the Muharram period to provide timely medical assistance wherever required.
The Chief Minister also reviewed traffic management plans and instructed the Traffic Police and Civil Administration to ensure smooth movement of processions while minimizing inconvenience to commuters, tourists and the general public. He called for coordinated planning and effective deployment of traffic personnel at critical junctions and congregation points.
Reviewing road infrastructure, the Chief Minister directed the Roads & Buildings Department to undertake necessary repairs and filling of potholes along procession routes and areas expected to witness large gatherings.
Acknowledging challenges faced in academization works due to prevailing circumstances of disruption in supply chain, he nevertheless stressed that roads should be levelled and made safe wherever full academization is not immediately feasible.
The Chief Minister further emphasized the importance of accountability and responsiveness among nodal officers designated for Muharram arrangements. He directed that all nodal officers to remain accessible to the public and available round-the-clock for prompt grievance redressal.
To strengthen monitoring and coordination, the Chief Minister announced that a Chief Minister’s Secretariat shall also oversee Muharram arrangements. He said designated officers would continuously monitor the implementation of departmental responsibilities and review complaints received from the public.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister assured participants that the Government would consider a dedicated allocation in the next year’s Budget to strengthen Muharram-related arrangements and infrastructure. He said such a provision would enable departments to undertake preparatory works well in advance and facilitate the smooth and efficient conduct of Muharram across Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, several legislators, representatives of Shia organizations, clerics, civil society members and community leaders highlighted issues relating to electricity supply, drinking water, road connectivity, sanitation, healthcare facilities and other public services.
During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu gave detailed presentations on the arrangements being made in their respective divisions.
The presentations covered major congregation events and processions, consultations with community leaders and civil society groups, inter-departmental coordination, deployment of district-level and departmental nodal officers, field inspections conducted by Deputy Commissioners and senior officers, security and traffic management plans, identification of parking areas, healthcare preparedness including deployment of doctors, paramedics and ambulances, municipal and civic arrangements, road repairs, power and water supply management, advance distribution of ration and essential commodities in Shia-majority areas, availability of LPG and fuel, positioning of fire tenders at vulnerable locations and comprehensive contingency plans.
The meeting was informed that extensive field visits, public outreach programmes and inter-departmental coordination meetings are already underway to ensure the smooth and peaceful observance of Muharram-2026 across Jammu and Kashmir.
