Delhi CM Rekha Gupta reconstitutes Kanwar Committee, Kapil Mishra named chief
Synopsis
Delhi has quietly upgraded the Kanwar Yatra from a routine administrative exercise to a flagship governance showcase. With a record 374 camps, DBT-linked funding of up to ₹11 lakh, and a high-profile minister now heading the committee, the Gupta government is signalling that managing religious pilgrimages is now core political and administrative business in the capital.
Key Takeaways
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta reconstituted the Kanwar Committee on 30 May 2025 ahead of the Shravan yatra season.
Kapil Mishra , Delhi's Minister for Culture and Law, has been appointed Chairperson of the committee.
MLAs Ajay Mahawar , Anil Sharma , Karnail Singh , Sanjay Goel , and Umang Bajaj are the five member MLAs.
Registered Kanwar camps in Delhi rose from 170 in 2024 to a record 374 in 2025 .
Financial assistance per camp ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹11 lakh via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) .
Each registered camp received up to 1,200 units of free electricity and a 75% concession on temporary electricity connection security deposits last year.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has reconstituted the Kanwar Committee ahead of the upcoming Kanwar Yatra, appointing Delhi Minister for Culture and Law Kapil Mishra as its Chairperson, according to an official statement released on Saturday, 30 May 2025. The move is aimed at ensuring the annual pilgrimage is conducted in a smooth, safe, and well-organised manner during the holy month of Shravan.
Committee Composition and Mandate
Alongside Chairperson Kapil Mishra, five MLAs have been inducted as members: Ajay Mahawar, Anil Sharma, Karnail Singh, Sanjay Goel, and Umang Bajaj. The committee's primary focus areas include route management, quality of waterproof tents, availability of medical facilities, and uninterrupted 24-hour power and water supply, along with robust security arrangements.
Under Mishra's leadership, the reconstituted committee will soon hold review meetings with District Magistrates, Delhi Police, the Public Works Department, the Health Department, and other senior officials to coordinate preparations.
Record Growth in Kanwar Camps
Chief Minister Gupta highlighted a significant expansion in the yatra's infrastructure over recent years. While only 170 Kanwar camps had been approved in 2024, the number rose to a record 374 registered camps across Delhi in 2025, attributed to the government's simplified approval process.
Notably, the Delhi government last year discontinued the earlier tender-based system, replacing it with transparent financial assistance disbursed directly into the bank accounts of registered organising committees through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ranging from ₹50,000 to a maximum of ₹11 lakh per camp.
Financial Relief for Camp Organisers
To ease the financial burden on organising committees, the government last year provided up to 1,200 units of free electricity to each registered camp and extended a 75 per cent concession on the security deposit for temporary electricity connections. These measures are expected to continue and potentially be expanded for the current year's yatra.
Government's Stated Objective
Chief Minister Gupta described the Kanwar Yatra as more than a traditional religious event, calling it a celebration of India's cultural heritage, social harmony, and public faith. She stated that the government's primary objective is to ensure that every Kanwariya entering Delhi is treated as an honoured guest and provided with the best possible facilities.
The reconstituted committee's first round of inter-departmental review meetings is expected shortly, setting the administrative groundwork for what the Delhi government has framed as a symbol of service and devotion in the national capital.
Point of View
Not just a logistical one. The jump from 170 to 374 approved camps in a single year is striking and warrants scrutiny of whether the simplified approval process has kept pace with safety and civic oversight standards. The DBT shift is a genuine administrative improvement, but the real test is whether per-camp funding translates into measurable improvements in pilgrim welfare rather than headline optics. Delhi's roads and infrastructure face considerable strain during Shravan; how the committee manages inter-agency coordination with Delhi Police and the PWD will ultimately determine whether this year's yatra matches the government's ambitious framing.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Delhi reconstituted the Kanwar Committee for 2025?
The Delhi government reconstituted the Kanwar Committee to oversee preparations for the upcoming Kanwar Yatra during the holy month of Shravan, ensuring smooth route management, medical facilities, and security arrangements. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the move on 30 May 2025.
Who is the new Chairperson of the Delhi Kanwar Committee?
Kapil Mishra, Delhi's Minister for Culture and Law, has been appointed Chairperson of the reconstituted Kanwar Committee. He will lead review meetings with District Magistrates, Delhi Police, and other departments ahead of the yatra.
How many Kanwar camps are registered in Delhi in 2025?
A record 374 Kanwar camps were registered across Delhi in 2025, up from 170 in 2024. The increase is attributed to the government's simplified approval process introduced last year.
What financial assistance does the Delhi government provide to Kanwar camps?
Registered Kanwar camp organising committees receive direct financial assistance ranging from ₹50,000 to a maximum of ₹11 lakh per camp through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Camps also received up to 1,200 units of free electricity and a 75 per cent concession on security deposits for temporary electricity connections last year.
Which MLAs are members of the reconstituted Kanwar Committee?
Five MLAs have been inducted as members: Ajay Mahawar, Anil Sharma, Karnail Singh, Sanjay Goel, and Umang Bajaj. They will work under Chairperson Kapil Mishra to oversee yatra preparations across Delhi.
