River Chenab or Chandrabhaga passes through four districts of Jammu province, Kishtwar, Doda, Raman and Reasi. This is entirely a mountainous region falling partly in summer zone and partly in winter zone. Climate is somewhat harsh and life is not that easy. Road connectivity is perilous and prone to accidents partly owing to human error and partly because of nature’s wrath. Population is thin by Indian demographic distribution norms and scattered over rising mountains. Four main district towns, namely Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban and Reasi are administrative headquarters for respective districts. By and large, the Chenab Valley is economically weaker in comparison to other regions for the reasons stated above. Ramban is closely connected to the National Highway and Reasi is going to receive the boom of Jammu-Srinagar railway line; the remaining two districts of Kishtwar and Doda are having slender connectivity. The region lacks industries and large scale economic activity, and the rural people eke out a hard living by tilling small patches of land or doing small animal husbandry activities. The mountain ranges beginning with Shivalak in the east move westward to join with Pir Panchal and thus form the region called Chenab Valley as Chenab flows down the meandering gorges.
Notwithstanding its hilly contours and consequential backwardness of the region, its great importance to the State lies in the enormous water resource of the river which is projected to be harnessed into generating hydroelectric power to meet the growing demand for power in the State. In this context, the Chief Minister of the State has thrown light on the projects contemplated by his government for the development of the entire Chenab Valley. Addressing the Annual Day function of Faredia Educational Institution in Kishtwar, he said that the districts of Kishtwar, Doda, Reasi, Ramban and entire Chenab Valley have been focused for all round balanced development and prestigious projects in power, road communication and other sectors have been launched to address development requirements of these areas and create jobs for youth. Four power projects are being launched in this region to generate about 3000 MWs of power and open new vistas of economic development besides generating numerous job opportunities for the youth of the backward and remote areas. Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited has started work on Pakuldul, Kiru and Kawar Hydro Electric Projects while Bursur-II is also being taken up by this agency for execution. These projects will provide many opportunities of employment to the youth of the region and the government has given clear instructions to authorities that first preference has to be given to the local youth when employments in these projects are made. In order to make the youth qualified for taking up skilled jobs in the context of these projects, the government encourages them to do courses in various skills at a number of polytechnic institutes establish by the government. Youth with some skills have far more chances of getting employed if they have mastered some skills.
Inadequate road connectivity in the region is because of its difficult hilly topography and inclement weather conditions. In rainy season, usually massive landslides block the road for days at end and traffic is suspended. Road building engineers have strongly recommended construction of tunnels at vulnerable spots as a measure that would revolutionise connectivity in the region. The State government has taken the right step of emphasizing on the union government the necessity and importance of assisting the state in developing connectivity projects. Two of these along Srinagar-Ladakh road are already sanctioned and two of these related to the 4-lanning of National Highway 1 are already under execution. In the next phase, tunnelling at desirable spots in Chenab Valley region has been strongly recommended. The CM hoped that Vialo-Singpora tunnel to connect Kishtwar with Kashmir valley will also be sanctioned soon.
There are other projects also in hand that would contribute to the prosperity of Chenab valley region. In education, tourism, health services also the region will receive its due share and perhaps more. Thus we find that Chenab Valley has come on the radar of State’s fast development activities. But the there is also a word of caution from the CM. He rightly concluded that economic, material and spiritual progress depends on peaceful atmosphere and peaceful co-existence among the people of different faiths and ideologies. Peace and tranquillity are essential pre-requisites of development. Chenab valley has been the scene of movement of terrorists clandestinely entering the State from our western neighbouring country. They have made Pir Panchal range their safe route for moving towards the four districts of the Chenab valley and disrupting peace and normal life. The CM said in very emphatic words that there were elements bent upon disrupting peace and tranquillity among people and trying to draw wedge between various sections. Alerting the people that they should not allow such elements to have a day, he emphasized that his government would not allow them to play with the interests of the State and the people. The message has gone well with the vast region and hopefully people will understand it.
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