Shiv Kumar Padha
Demand of the natives for a bridge over river Ravi, arise dates back since independence, but it gained tempo only when dozens of villages in the proximity of Basohli were submerged in back waters of RSD. Hundreds of the families were compelled to migrate from their villages due to which they were separated from their kin like ‘Wall of Berlin’. The villages and the markets of the town gave a deserted look due to mass scale migration. Visualizing the pain and hardships of people marooned in RSD waters, Atal Bihari Vajpayee the former Prime minister of India proved a savior for the suffering humanity who sanctioned a cable stayed bridge over river Ravi. With completion of the bridge named Atal Setu the entire population heaved a sigh of relief which brought their lives on rails as before. Atal Setu, a life line for a large of population living in Punjab, Himachal Pardesh and Jammu and Kashmir UT is not only a bridge but a link which joins Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. It is built at a place which is a confluence of three adjoining states of Punjab, HP and J&K UT. It is not only the gate way to Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh UTs only but it also provides easy and shortest approach to the world of tourism spread over entire district Doda, Udhampur and Kathua of Jammu and Kashmir UT. After the inauguration of Atal Setu on December 25, 2015 it was believed that this long awaited bridge will change the whole scenario of the entire Jammu region in general and that of Basohli, Bani, Billawer, Bhadarwah, Kishtwar and Doda in particular and will usher in an era of progress and development by diverting interstate vehicular traffic via Atal Setu which it, was hoped, will boost both trade and tourism of the area and create new avenues of employment for the youth of the region. But seven years on the bridge has not been able to add even a penny to the coffers of the UT due to its non utilization since then. Through Atal Setu the distance between Punjab and Himachal Pardesh, district Doda, Udhampur, Kathua and Mata Vaishno Devi gets curtailed to less than half. Even then UT government has not allowed interstate vehicular traffic i.e. bus services and other carriers through the bridge except the local tempos carrying grocery and vegetables for local use. Without traffic, the bridge gives deserted look for maximum time of the day due to which stray animals enjoy the cool breeze of the lake comfortably. It is experienced that only the tourist with personal conveyance throng Basohli with their Tiffin and bottles of water. Basohli, being situated at the eighteenth century trade route and also being the confluence of three states, is an ideal place to develop into a trade corridor and a dry port from where the trade with other states of the country in general and between three adjoining states in particular can flourish. Basohli can be developed into a trade center where produces from Bani Basohli Bhadarwah, Doda and Kishtwar, from Chamba, Kangra districts of Himachal Pardesh and Pathankot district of Punjab can be marked with ease and comfort. It is pertinent to mention here that Basohli has got good connectivity with other states via Atal Setu. Now Atal Setu Basohli has become the second gate way of the UT, which, not only entertains the tourist from other states but it has become the threshold of the entire world of tourism, spread over Doda, Kathua and Udhampur districts of the UT. While Atal Setu in itself is a tourist spot due to its unique technology and architect, district Doda, Udhampur and Kathua are gifted with natural wealth and beauty, Basohli, Bani, Bhadarwah Doda and Kishtwar have the potential of offering multiple modes of tourism suiting to the different tastes of the tourists. It will not be an exaggeration if I comment that the panoramic and beautiful landscapes of these places are not second to any other place in both the UTs. But due to the non-utilization of the Atal Setu, the tourists and the devotees are compelled to opt Pathankot Jammu rout to reach Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and picturesque valleys of Doda, which costs them more than double in terms of time and money. Traveling to these destinations via Atal Setu is both short and cheap. The tourism industry of Doda Kathua and Udhampur districts depends most upon the utilization of Atal setu, as it will provide many opportunities of employment in the field of Hotel industry, tour n travel agencies boating, water sports and other small business. Establishing trade corridor, dry port and interstate market at Basohli- the confluence town, will not only generate new avenues of development, progress and employment but will boost the trade and tourism of these districts of Jammu region. The income so earned through the trade and tourism will definitely contribute to the coffers of the UT, otherwise the bridge Atal Setu, constructed at a cost of more than Rs 150 crores will become an exhibit and prove a white elephant for UT. The economy of UT can be enhanced through trade and tourism if Atal Setu is properly and judiciously utilized for the purpose it was constructed.
