PM SVANidhi Street Food Hub Approved for Lakhanpur, J&K – Boost to Pilgrims, Tourists and Vendors

Key Insight

PM SVANidhi Hub at Lakhanpur ties street‑vendor livelihoods to tourism and urban development.

Key Facts

1. 2026: सरकार ने Lakhanpur, Kathua जिले में 1,754.25 sq m Street Food Hub को मंजूरी दी।
2. वित्तीय सहायता: ₹4 crore को तीन किस्तों (30%, 50%, 20%) में जारी किया गया।
3. अतिरिक्त प्रोत्साहन: Lakhanpur के Street Vending Plan के अधिसूचित होने के बाद ₹25 lakh।
4. कार्यान्वयन साझेदार: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) और Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)।
5. लक्षित लाभार्थी: स्ट्रीट विक्रेता (≈50 हब राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर योजना) और Amarnath Yatra तथा Vaishno Devi तीर्थयात्रा के तीर्थयात्री/पर्यटक।
6. हब का लक्ष्य Dogra cuisine को स्वच्छ, व्यवस्थित सेटिंग में प्रदर्शित करना है, जिससे पर्यटन को स्थानीय संस्कृति से जोड़ा जा सके।

Background

The hub is part of the PM SVANidhi programme, a flagship scheme that formalises street vending, provides credit and training, and improves hygiene standards. By locating the hub at a major transit point, the government links livelihood creation with tourism promotion, reflecting the Whole‑of‑Government approach taught in GS‑2 and the inclusive growth agenda of GS‑3.

UPSC Syllabus

• Essay — Economy, Development and Inequality
• GS2 — Functions and responsibilities of Union and States
• Essay — Science, Technology and Society
• Prelims_GS — Sustainable Development and Inclusion

Mains Angle

GS‑3 (Economy) – discuss how structured street‑food hubs can generate employment, boost tourism revenue and address urban‑rural inequality. Possible question: ‘Evaluate the role of central schemes like PM SVANidhi in promoting inclusive tourism.’