Delhi govt reconstitutes Kanwar Committee; Kapil Mishra appointed its chairperson

New Delhi ( Pallavi Srivastava) : Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday reconstituted the high-level Kanwar Committee for the upcoming Kanwar Yatra, appointing Culture and Law Minister Kapil Mishra as its chairperson and announcing special assistance for Kanwar camps to ensure a smooth, safe and well-organised pilgrimage.

The Chief Minister said the Delhi government was committed to providing improved facilities and services to lakhs of Shiva devotees expected to pass through the national capital during the holy month of Shravan.“This year too, devotion and service will set new benchmarks,” Gupta said, adding that the government would extend special assistance to Kanwar camps to facilitate the pilgrimage.

According to the government, the newly constituted committee will be headed by Mishra and include MLAs Ajay Mahawar, Anil Sharma, Karnail Singh, Sanjay Goel and Umang Bajaj as members. Describing the Kanwar Yatra as more than a religious tradition, Gupta said it represented India’s cultural heritage, social harmony and collective faith.“The Kanwar Yatra is not merely a traditional religious event, but a grand celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage, social harmony and public faith,” she said. “The large number of Shiva devotees who gather on the streets of Delhi during the month of Shravan reflects the country’s cultural unity.”

The Chief Minister said arrangements for the annual pilgrimage had evolved beyond routine administrative responsibilities and had become a symbol of service and devotion in the national capital.“Our primary objective is to ensure that every Kanwariya entering Delhi is treated as an honoured guest and provided with the best possible facilities and services,” she said.

Gupta said the reconstituted committee would soon hold review meetings with district magistrates, Delhi Police, the Public Works Department, Health Department and other concerned agencies to assess preparedness for the yatra.She said the committee’s focus would be on route management, installation of quality waterproof tents, availability of medical facilities, uninterrupted electricity and water supply, and comprehensive security arrangements.“

Under the leadership of Kapil Mishra, the committee will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that this year’s Kanwar Yatra is completed smoothly and successfully, as in the previous year,” she said.

Highlighting the government’s initiatives for Kanwar devotees, Gupta said Delhi had witnessed a significant expansion in the number of approved camps over the past year.While only 170 Kanwar camps were approved in 2024, the number rose to a record 374 registered camps in 2025 following the introduction of a simplified approval process, she said.

The Chief Minister also pointed to reforms in the financial assistance mechanism for camp organisers. The government replaced the earlier tender-based system with direct benefit transfers (DBT), enabling transparent financial support ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 11 lakh directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.She said 50 per cent of the sanctioned assistance was released in advance before the commencement of the yatra.

In addition, registered camps were provided up to 1,200 units of free electricity and a 75 per cent concession on the security deposit for temporary power connections.Gupta expressed confidence that the coordinated efforts of the committee and government departments would ensure a safe, comfortable and spiritually fulfilling experience for devotees participating in this year’s Kanwar Yatra.