Ramban: A District in Name, But a Village in Functionality
Ramban: A District in Name, But a Village in Functionality
Peerzada Mohsin Shafi
M.Tech Infrastructure Development & Management (Hon’s)
Member ASCE, Researcher-Planning & Contracts
Ramban, a district once largely unknown to me, has now become an integral part of my life. I vividly remember the days when I used to travel back home from my college, navigating the infamous NH-44. The journey was long and often arduous, but it was mostly the stretch between Banihal and Ramban that stood out as the most challenging. In 2015, the Qazigund-Banihal tunnel had not yet been opened to traffic, and the drive from Anantnag to Banihal was a test of patience. As I neared Ramban, my family would frequently call, asking where I had reached. Such was the fear of the road of Ramban. I still remember my mother uttering in Kashmiri "Whenn Chu Ramsoo te Panthal," meaning the tough terrain of Ramsoo and Panthal is still way.
The road conditions during those days were nothing short of dreadful. The stretch from Ramban to Banihal was notorious for its frequent accidents and constant traffic jams. In fact, the news almost always carried reports of yet another tragic accident along that stretch of the highway. I didn’t pay much attention to the severity of the situation at the time. After all, my travels along this road were limited to once or twice a year, so I did not have the same sense of urgency that locals and elders felt. The road was narrow, poorly maintained, and fraught with dangers—common place for daily commuters but unfamiliar to someone like me, visiting sporadically.
Fast forward to the present day, and Ramban, a region I visited only a few times a year, has become my home for the past three years. I’ve had the chance to live and experience this region more intimately than ever before. As someone who had no understanding of its geography and topography, I now find myself deeply connected to this area, both professionally and personally.
Ramban was carved out of the erstwhile Doda district on April 1, 2007, in a bid to address the region’s remoteness and developmental challenges. Its creation was intended to serve the aspirations of the people in this area, yet, despite the passage of time, Ramban still faces significant challenges. The district, with an average elevation of 747 meters (3792 feet), is bordered by Patnitop in the south, Assar in the east, Gool in the west, and Banihal in the north. It consists of seven tehsils—Banihal, Khari, Pogal Paristan, Ramban, Rajgarh, and Gool—and four community development blocks: Banihal, Gool, Ramban, and Ramsoo. According to the 2001 Census, Ramban had 116 census villages and 127 revenue villages, with 142 panchayat halqas.
One of the most surprising revelations during my stay here was the discovery that parts of Ramban are involved in olive production, a fact that I was unaware of until recently. Yet, despite some areas showing promise, the district is still grappling with a host of developmental challenges that hinder its potential. A stark example of the region’s deficiencies is the state of healthcare in Ramban. During my stay here, a close friend fell ill, and we rushed him to the District Hospital in Ramban. However, to our dismay, the outpatient department (OPD) shuts by 2 p.m., and finding a doctor after that time is nearly impossible. In addition, there are no specialties like Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology available. On occasion, even basic medicines, like pantoprazole injections, are unavailable, and we had to purchase them from outside. When I spoke to a doctor from my native area who was stationed at the district hospital, he candidly admitted that the facility, in its current state, is more akin to a dispensary than a fully functioning hospital.
In addition to the healthcare challenges, the condition of the district’s roads is another major concern. The stretch of road from Ramban to Sangaldan is in a dilapidated state, making travel dangerous, especially during the monsoon season. On one occasion, there was a heavy traffic jam on NH-44, I decided to take the route via Sangaldan Railway Station. But as I made my way to the railway station, I was horrified by the condition of the roads. Areas like Parnote and Chapran Nala are particularly treacherous, posing a significant danger to travelers. For the past many areas they have not been developed. Furthermore, a bridge is under construction along the Chenab River, which is expected to connect the town area of Ramban (Cafeteria Morh) to Sangaldan. Despite the project being underway for several years, progress has been extremely slow. For the past three years, all I’ve seen are two piers, with construction work intermittently restarting and then pausing again. During my stay in Ramban, I observed a significant concern that has been affecting both residents and local businesses persistent electricity issues. This issue extends to the main headquarters of the area, where power outages have been frequent and often last for extended periods. The power disruptions are causing considerable inconvenience, hampering daily activities, and posing challenges for operations within the headquarters.
Before 2023, the NH-44 passed right through the town of Ramban, filling the air with dust day and night. I remember shopkeepers cleaning their shops in the early morning, only to find them filled with dust again by the end of the day. However, since the construction of the elevated flyover, there has been a noticeable improvement in air quality, offering a sense of relief to those living in the town. Yet, despite these improvements, the local market in Ramban remains stagnant. Many items are in short supply, and those that are available are often sold at inflated prices. It has become all too common to encounter shopkeepers who charge exorbitant rates for basic goods. This disparity between supply and demand adds to the frustration of residents who already struggle with limited access to essential services.
In my opinion, the creation of Ramban as a district, without accompanying infrastructure and development, is nothing more than a hollow gesture. The area deserves more than just the title of a district; it needs real development. Without proper facilities and services, it may be better to reconsider the district status and instead focus on developing the region in a meaningful way. In conclusion, Ramban has the potential to be a thriving, prosperous region. But for this to happen, the local government must prioritize infrastructure development, healthcare improvements, and accessible markets. The people of Ramban deserve better, and it is high time that the promises of progress are translated into tangible benefits for the community. Until these fundamental changes occur, the region will continue to struggle, despite its potential for growth and prosperity.
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Ramban 27-02-2025 (03:32 PM)
