Ranjit Thakur
JAMMU, Jan 19: A remote village nestled in the hilly terrain of Doda district, Dessa has lived in isolation for over seven decades, despite having a population of more than 25,000 without proper road connectivity. Daily life has been an ongoing struggle for its residents, particularly when it comes to accessing essential services such as healthcare and education.
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The absence of roads has proven most challenging during harsh winters. When someone falls critically ill, villagers are left with no choice but to carry patients on makeshift stretchers, sometimes over several kilometers, to reach the nearest motorable road. This arduous task has not only been exhausting but has also claimed lives in the past.
But after years of hardship, there is now a glimmer of hope. Recently, the Government initiated a road survey in Dessa under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), a move that has instilled optimism in the hearts of the villagers. The elderly, the sick and children, who have long endured the suffering of isolation, now pin their hopes on this much-awaited development.
Dessa, located approximately 40 kilometers from the district headquarters, and most of its hamlets remain disconnected from the motorable road network, despite the promise of development in the years following independence. Despite this, the scenic beauty and moderate climate of Dessa make it as stunning as Kashmir, and it holds the potential to become a thriving community with the right resources.
However, most villagers have been forced to migrate to urban areas in search of a better future for their children. Those who could not afford to leave continue to live under difficult circumstances, with little to no development taking place in the region.
Advocate Suneet Thakur, a prominent voice from Dessa, expressed the frustration that has built up over the years. “The people of Dessa are excited that, after 75 years, a road survey has finally been conducted. We urge the Government to start the construction of these roads as soon as possible. Without proper connectivity, elderly people, the sick, and pregnant women are facing severe difficulties every day,” said Thakur, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
He also emphasized the need for other vital services, such as mini hydroelectric power plants, proper schools, a degree college, and a micro Primary Health Centre (PHC) to ensure that Dessa’s residents can live dignified lives. “These basic facilities are crucial for our development,” Thakur added.
The recent road survey has been welcomed by villagers, who are now hopeful that this long-awaited change will finally bring an end to their years of hardship. Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Dessa, said, “We were waiting for this moment all our lives. After electricity came to our village after 75 years, this road survey feels like another positive sign after decades of isolation. We want the roads to be constructed without causing damage to our homes and the environment.”
Shakti Parihar, the newly elected Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Doda West, acknowledged the failure of previous Governments in addressing the region’s infrastructure needs. “It is unfortunate that successive Governments have neglected the road connectivity issues in Doda district. During my previous term as MLA and Minister, I worked to connect many remote villages to the main road network. Now, we are committed to providing road connectivity to every single hamlet with a population of at least 250 people in the fourth phase of PMGSY,” Parihar said.
“We have recently completed the preliminary survey of several hamlets without road connectivity, especially in areas like Dessa, Kashtigarh, Marmat, and Khellani. Our target is to complete the entire survey by January 31, 2025, after which Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) will be prepared,” Parihar added.
Harvinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Doda, confirmed that the survey being conducted as part of PMGSY Phase-4 will address road connectivity across the district. “Wherever there is a population of 250 or more, road connectivity will be provided under this phase. The survey is not limited to Doda but extends to all areas that still lack roads,” Singh said.
As the people of Dessa await the fulfillment of these long-delayed promises, there is a sense of hope that, finally, the road to development will be paved. The community’s vision for a better, connected future seems within reach, and with these recent steps, they believe that isolation may soon be a thing of the past.
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