At present we often find the contest between Jammu and Kashmir Valley dominating the political discourse and news highlights. Regrettably, in the Kashmir valley versus Jammu narrative, lost is the distinct identity of the Chenab valley which is seeking its due share for a long time. The Baat Cheet program in Doda brought to fore the concerns of the inhabitants of the valley and how in the matters of structural change, policy reform, governance among others, Delhi and successive state governments, including the present one, have been consistently oblivious to the issues of the Chenab valley. Out of the numerous issues that were freely spoken about, the following issues deserve special mention.

A Case for a Cluster University

The demand for the establishment of a Cluster University for Chenab valley dominated the discourse regarding education. Around a dozen colleges in Doda that impart higher education are all affiliated with University of Jammu. The administrative centralisation and geographical distance are factors that contribute to squeezed academic calendars, delay in exams and limited faculty engagement. The quality of higher education suffers when semester duration is shortened. These colleges operate with inadequate staff, leaving departments under-resourced. The absence of a local university structure hampers academic autonomy and also weakens research, innovation, and student development. A cluster university would decentralise academic administration, ensure adequate semester timelines, and could also create region-specific courses aligned with local needs. Here are rarely any dedicated girls colleges, Doda especially lacks a dedicated girls college. This hampers the education of young girls in this socially conservative part of the state. The issue of unemployment further exacerbates life and signals unemployable young boys and girls graduating from these colleges. Therefore, linking colleges with skill development centres could make graduates industry-ready and open pathways in entrepreneurship, tourism, agriculture, and other emerging sectors.

Infrastructure: Reassessing Connectivity

The connectivity in Chenab valley has attributes of absurdity associated. Chenab is high seismic vulnerability (Zone 4) excessive and unplanned road construction has caused much damage to this fragile Himalayan ecosystem. There are incessant landslides and soil is eroding at a much faster rate . The sustainability aspect is kept at bay while carving out the excessive road network. To fix this problem the suggestions that emanated from the discussion were to expand the tunnel network to ensure all weather connectivity and expansion of railway infrastructure via tunnels deeper into the Chenab valley. The valley boasts the engineering marvel, the Chenab rail bridge. Therefore, linking the interiors of the Chenab with Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project would transform trade, tourism, and mobility while reducing ecological damage compared to heavy road expansion.

Division Status for Chenab

Some political entities might deride it by calling it Dickson plan but one of the significant issue raised at Baat Cheet was the demand for divisional status for Chenab Valley. Currently, all the administrative decisions come as “Farmans” from distant centres, often delaying governance and diluting region-specific solutions. Granting division status would, bring administrative authority closer to the people, enhance coordination and synergy between districts, prompt grievance redressal and create employment through newly formulated administrative structures. The long overlooked people of the Chenab do not merely recognise the “divisional status” as bureaucratic demand but as a step towards dignity and political strength within the J&K’s political framework.

Electricity: North India in light Chenab in Darkness

Chenab Valley is home to major Hydropower projects that supply electricity across North India. Projects like the Baglihar Dam and the Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Plant generate thousands of megawatts, yet, enduring hours-long power cuts and therefore darkness has become the fate of the residents of Chenab. Far from receiving uninterrupted power supply at subsidised rates, power Bills are enhancing. Ideally the region should be provided with free electricity as compensation for their resource utilisation. The irony is stark as well as “dark”, the region that powers cities across India struggles with basic supply reliability. The demand is simple, prioritise electricity access for Chenab and fair compensation for being a power-producing region.

Chenab Valley’s mountainous terrain is rich in medicinal herbs. However, farmers cultivating these herbs often do not receive fair prices from procurers. The absence of a dedicated herbal park or regulated procurement mechanism leaves growers vulnerable to middlemen. Institutional support to establishing a herbal processing and marketing hub could transform the local economy and generate employment.

Access to clean drinking water is vital in the Chenab valley. Water infrastructure development under the Jal Jeevan Mission has reached parts of Chenab, but implementation faces hurdle as Contractors reportedly face delayed payments which in turn stagnates the execution of such vital projects. Also, there is no comprehensive policy addressing tribal education infrastructure and teacher support. Tribal teachers reportedly face delays in payments and lack infrastructure. Targeted interventions therefore become important otherwise educational disparity becomes generational .

The Baat Cheet program in Doda underscored a deeper sentiment , Chenab Valley does not seek confrontation with either Jammu or Kashmir. Instead, it seeks visibility, decentralisation, and equitable development.

Zuhaib Yousf Mir, Spokesperson JKPDP

© Greater Kashmir