Dessa, a remote village nestled in the hilly terrain of Doda district, has endured over seven decades of isolation without proper road connectivity, leaving its population of more than 25,000 people to live amidst continuous struggles. The absence of roads has created immense hardships, particularly in accessing essential services such as healthcare, education, and emergency transport. However, a recent development has brought new hope to this long-forgotten region.
The Struggle: A Life in Isolation
The harsh winters in Dessa have made the lack of road connectivity even more dangerous. Villagers often find themselves forced to carry critically ill patients on makeshift stretchers over several kilometers to the nearest motorable road. These treacherous journeys have, in the past, led to tragic losses. Despite these challenges, the people of Dessa have remained resilient, enduring isolation without any substantial support from authorities for many years.
For decades, promises of development and road construction have been made but never fulfilled. With most of its hamlets remaining disconnected from the road network, Dessa’s scenic beauty and moderate climate have gone unnoticed, leaving it as an untouched gem with untapped potential.
A Ray of Hope: Road Survey Under PMGSY
In a much-awaited move, the government has initiated a road survey in Dessa under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The news has sparked a sense of optimism among the villagers, who have long yearned for better infrastructure. The elderly, sick, and children, who have suffered immensely due to the lack of connectivity, now pin their hopes on this development.
Advocate Sunnet Thakur, a prominent voice from Dessa, expressed the long-held frustration of the village. “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,” Thakur said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Dessa’s Dream for Development
Dessa, located approximately 40 kilometers from the district headquarters, has witnessed little to no development over the years. While the villagers have remained steadfast, many have been forced to migrate to urban areas in search of better opportunities for their children. Those who remain continue to live under difficult circumstances.
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.
A Commitment to Change
The ongoing road survey, part of PMGSY Phase-4, aims to connect areas like Dessa, Kashtigarh, Marmat, and Khellani to the main road network. Harvinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Doda, confirmed the plan to bring road connectivity to areas with populations of 250 or more. “The survey is not limited to Doda but extends to all areas that still lack roads,” Singh explained.
With the preliminary survey expected to be completed by January 31, 2025, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) will soon follow, setting the stage for the construction of much-needed roads in the region.
The Path Forward: A Connected Future
The villagers of Dessa now have renewed hope that their years of isolation are coming to an end. “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,” said Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Dessa. The villagers are cautious but hopeful, wishing for roads to be constructed without causing damage to their homes or the environment.
As the region prepares for a brighter future, the promise of road connectivity represents the first step in a larger vision for development. Advocates like Sunnet Thakur continue to press for further improvements, such as mini hydroelectric power plants, proper schools, a degree college, and a micro Primary Health Centre (PHC) to ensure that the residents of Dessa can lead dignified lives.
The Road Ahead: A Community’s Vision
With this road survey, a long-standing promise of development is finally within reach. The community of Dessa is poised to embrace the future, with hopes that their long-awaited dream of a connected, prosperous life will soon be a reality. With the survey underway and the promise of road construction on the horizon, Dessa’s isolation may soon be a thing of the past.
