The Road That Never Was

Despite public demand, the Kapran-Desa route remains absent from national highway plans and government priorities.

- Peerzada Mohsin Shafi

Kapran is a remote area located about 18 kilometers from the historic Mughal Garden of Verinag in South Kashmir. Blessed with breathtaking natural beauty, the region boasts a striking and expansive landscape shaped by nature.

Between Verinag and Kapran lie several villages, each rich in history and culture. The road connecting them is fully macadamized, beginning at the District Headquarters in Anantnag and continuing through Verinag all the way to Kapran and beyond. Along the way, it passes through prominent villages such as Kokagund and Nowgam.

At Chowgund, the road splits into two branches, one leading to villages like Rain, Koot, Heward, and Dudhwagan, and the other connecting places like Qammar. These routes eventually merge again, forming a path that leads further to Reshipora, Kapran, Gawas, Chohhan, and Dedibal.

The road connectivity in this region is relatively good, offering promising opportunities for tourism and the development of renewable resources.

Sarbal Lake, nestled in the area, is a hidden gem for trekkers. Despite its potential, it remains off the mainstream tourism map. Dedibal, the last point accessible by motorable road, resembles the renowned tourist destination of Pahalgam, yet remains largely undiscovered. Surrounded by dense, green forests, it offers a serene and untouched paradise.

On the Doda side, reports indicate that the road extends only up to Manjami Desa, after which travelers must undertake a 35-kilometer trek on foot to reach the Chenab Valley.

Interestingly, if one opens a map application at Dedibal and searches for Doda, the distance appears to be just a 15-minute drive.

Local legend holds that this once served as the shortest route between Kashmir and Doda. However, the terrain is far from motorable. It's a rugged mountain path that must be crossed on foot to reach the Desa area of Doda.