Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited Ganderbal district on Friday, 5 June, where he led an anti-drug padayatra under the administration's 'Drug-Free J&K' campaign and subsequently inaugurated the long-awaited Yatri Bhawan at the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in Tulmulla. The twin engagements underscored the administration's dual focus on social welfare and pilgrimage infrastructure in the Kashmir Valley.

Anti-Drug March in Ganderbal

L-G Sinha was received by senior civil and police officials, public representatives, youth groups, students, and members of social organisations before leading the march through designated routes. Participants carried placards and raised awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse, reflecting what officials described as a broad-based community response to the drug menace.

Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor urged citizens — particularly young people — to stay away from narcotics and actively contribute towards building a healthier society. 'Today I proudly joined the Drug-Free J&K campaign in Ganderbal walking alongside fellow citizens and addressing a powerful crowd. Having now visited every district in Kashmir Valley and stood with each march, I can say that a historic movement against narco-terrorism has risen,' Sinha said in a post on X.

The padayatra is part of the administration's wider 100-day anti-drug campaign, which focuses on awareness generation, community mobilisation, and efforts to curb drug trafficking networks, including those linked to narco-terror funding concerns, according to officials. The event concluded with participants taking a pledge to support efforts against drug addiction and promote grassroots awareness.

What the Campaign Aims to Achieve

Officials noted that sustained public engagement — especially of the younger generation — is considered essential to eliminating substance abuse in the region. This is the latest in a series of district-level marches that L-G Sinha has attended across the Kashmir Valley, with Ganderbal marking his completion of visits to every district. The administration views the campaign as a long-term structural effort rather than a one-off event, linking community participation to curbing narco-terror financing networks.

Yatri Bhawan Inaugurated at Kheer Bhawani Temple

Following the march, L-G Sinha visited the Tulmulla shrine — popularly known as Kheer Bhawani Temple — where he paid obeisance to the Mother Goddess and formally inaugurated the new Yatri Bhawan within the temple complex. 'Today, inaugurated much awaited Yatri Bhawan at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple, Tulmulla, Ganderbal. The Yatri Bhawan will substantially improve the pilgrimage experience at Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple by providing safe, hygienic and comfortable accommodation facilities,' Sinha wrote on X.

The facility is expected to benefit the large number of devotees and pilgrims — including the Kashmiri Pandit community — who visit the temple annually, particularly during the Kheer Bhawani festival. Improved accommodation infrastructure has been a longstanding demand of pilgrims and religious organisations associated with the shrine.

Broader Significance

The two events together signal the J&K administration's continued push on both security-linked social campaigns and religious tourism infrastructure. Notably, this comes amid broader efforts to restore normalcy and boost pilgrimage activity in the Kashmir Valley following years of disruption. The Yatri Bhawan inauguration, in particular, is likely to be welcomed by the Kashmiri Pandit diaspora for whom Kheer Bhawani holds deep cultural and spiritual significance.