Street food vendors in Lakhanpur received a major boost on Friday as Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced the development of a modern Street Food Hub under the PM SVANidhi scheme, saying the project will provide organised vending spaces, strengthen local livelihoods and showcase Dogra cuisine to tourists and pilgrims.
Dr Singh received a warm welcome from local street food vendors and traders during his visit to the Lakhanpur Vendors Market. His visit follows the Government of India’s decision to include Lakhanpur among 50 towns across India to be developed as ‘Street Food Hub’ under the PM SVANidhi initiative.
Dr Singh said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has consistently focused on welfare-oriented development rather than vote-oriented politics. He remarked that several long-pending projects, which had remained neglected before 2014, have been revived and implemented with renewed commitment under the present government.
Highlighting the significance of the PM SVANidhi Scheme, the Union Minister said that for the first time in the country’s history, the welfare of street vendors has been addressed through a dedicated government initiative. He observed that street vendors had remained outside the policy focus of successive governments, but the sensitivity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured that neglected sections of society were brought into the mainstream through schemes that provide dignity, financial support and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Dr Jitendra Singh said Lakhanpur’s selection in the first phase of the Street Food Hub initiative highlights the government’s dedication to empowering small vendors while creating organised, hygienic and visitor-friendly vending spaces.
The minister said that the Street Food Hub at Lakhanpur will be developed across two clusters in the market—one near the Old Bus Stand and the other near the Sales Tax Office. Strategically located at the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir from Pathankot (Punjab) and on the route to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, the location witnesses substantial movement of tourists, pilgrims and transit travellers throughout the day. Spread across 1,754.25 square metres, the hub will provide modern vending infrastructure while promoting Dogra cuisine and other local culinary traditions in a clean, organised and visitor-friendly environment.
The minister also announced that the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir will be developed into an attractive entry point through a unique gateway monument and comprehensive beautification works in Lakhanpur at an estimated cost of over Rs 1.5 crore.
The minister also inaugurated a statue of Maharaja Gulab Singh at Lakhanpur. Installed at the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, the statue has emerged as an important landmark reflecting the region’s cultural and historical identity. Dr Jitendra Singh said the memorial honours Maharaja Gulab Singh’s contribution to nation-building while instilling pride among the younger generation about the history and heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
He further informed that approvals have been obtained for naming the Kathua Railway Station after Shaheed Captain Sunil Sharma and expressed confidence that the formal process would be completed shortly.