Govt sanctions Rs 7.98 crore for Machail Shrine, tourism development in Kishtwar

Srinagar, Oct 29: The Jammu and Kashmir government has sanctioned Rs 7.98 crore for developing pilgrim facilities at the Mata Machail Shrine and boosting tourism infrastructure in Kishtwar district, including the Paddar region, the Tourism Department informed the Legislative Assembly in reply to a question by BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma.

Separately, Rs 5.71 crore has been allocated for developing tourism infrastructure in Kishtwar under the UT Capex Budget 2025–26, and Rs 2.74 crore released for beautification, trekking trails, shelter sheds, and public conveniences across the district.

Of the total amount, Rs 2.27 crore has been approved for the Machail Shrine and adjoining areas. The projects include the development of camping sites, creation of a tent city at Gulabgarh and Machail-Paddar, and improvement of basic facilities. Rs 79 lakh has been sanctioned for the project, of which Rs 39.50 lakh has been released and 45 percent work completed. Another Rs 34 lakh has been earmarked for infrastructure along the Gulabgarh–Machail route, and Rs 80 lakh for shelters, sheds, parks, toilets, and solar lights. Additionally, Rs 30 lakh has been sanctioned for signages in surrounding villages , including Massu, Kundali, Chichoti, and Hamaori.

The government said the Machail Yatra, one of J&K’s major pilgrimages after Vaishno Devi and Amarnath, attracts around two lakh devotees every year and supports local livelihoods through tourism-related activities.