Dalhousie - Srinagar is just 283 kms?

recker_us · 20th January 2009, 08:45

Hi,

I stumbled on this unheard route while browing through Yahoo Maps. Looks like there is a very less travelled route Dalhouise via Doda, Kishtwar that goes to Anantnag. From thsi route, Srinagar is Just 283 kms. You dont touch Jammu region at any point. Just 60kms from Dalhouise, you enter J&K at Doda district.

The map doesnt show much inhabitation on this route. The road condition is not known and might be bad also, so I am tempted to do it on a bicycle/bike.

Anyone been to this route? I am concerned also about the safety part. We hardly hear about Doda/Kishtwar. The only time I have heard about it is when there is either a terrorist event or any snowfall. Is it required to have permits to enter thia area?

Here is the link to info on yahoo maps:
Yahoo! India Maps

Thanks,
Jyoti

amtak · 20th January 2009, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by recker_us

Hi,

Anyone been to this route? I am concerned also about the safety part. We hardly hear about Doda/Kishtwar. The only time I have heard about it is when there is either a terrorist event or any snowfall. Is it required to have permits to enter thia area?

Here is the link to info on yahoo maps:
Yahoo! India Maps

Thanks,
Jyoti

Kishtwar is a very beautiful place. I have very fond memories of living there as a kid. Yes, its been hit by militancy now and taking that route is not recommended.

OT: If you are a daredevil and don't fear anything, just take a trip that road. You'll love it. A journey of a lifetime.

recker_us · 21st January 2009, 10:25

Has anyone been to Doda/Kishtwar area offlate?

Thansk,
Jp

anupmathur · 29th January 2009, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by recker_us

Has anyone been to Doda/Kishtwar area offlate?

Both are in the news for all the wrong reasons! I'd say you better avoid them.
And certainly do not venture there on a bicycle.

wanderernomad · 30th January 2009, 15:24

AFAIK that route is still not operational. Maybe you can try it out on a bicycle but do not venture alone. Scenic route it should be but the conditions will not be very comfortable. Entry/ Exit will be from the Pangi valley in Chamba and would take you near to Sach pass which is now connected to the Keylong Sub division now enroute to Manali. Explore that route and I am sure you will not be dissappointed.

phamilyman · 30th January 2009, 16:04

It is open as per accounts this year (Sach pass).

And in 2004 (?) when a bunch of bulleteers rode that way after the Udaipur side to Leh was closed - there's a post here:
Yahoo! Groups

ishan.agarwal · 16th May 2011, 11:27

Hi. Has anyone done the Chamba-Bhaderwah-Doda route recently (=2010/2011)? Is it likely to be open in early June? Also, any information on the general safety situation in Doda and Kishtwar in Jammu would be much appreciated.

Ishan

tsk1979 · 16th May 2011, 12:22

The only problem with your route is "militancy". So its mostly avoided. But as others said, if you are a daredevil, go for it!

1st March 2013, 18:50

What is the best route from Chamba [HP] to Srinagar [J&K]? MMI shows the shortest route on SH 35 via Bhaderwah and Doda, but Google Maps shows the longer route via Pathankot. Will the shortest route recommended by MMI be a good motorable one for a sedan in September? Kindly advise.

faustus77 · 1st March 2013, 22:02

J.Ravi
Hi
The Pathankot route is definitely longer when you travel from Srinagar to Chamba.You dont have to go anywhere near it.
The route to be taken is the so called defence road and over the Ranjit Sagar dam and at a certain point you turn towards Dalhousie/Chamba.This was given by a resident of Srinagar who drives to Dalhousie more than 10 times a year.
Unfortunately for me I asked a truck driver for directions after the dam and I landed up at Pathankot and that too after getting stuck at the J&K/HP border.
Regards

ishan.agarwal · 4th March 2013, 12:38

I did the Chamba-Bhaderwah road in early June 2011 in an Innova. The road is mostly unmetalled in J&K and we were really lucky to make it through without a puncture. There is a small pass at about 3200m which gets snowed in for much of the year. We were told by some troops at an army camp that it was cleared ten days before we got there, and then it rained and was closed off a week after we passed through. Took us about 10 hrs, Chamba-Bhaderwah. One of the most beautiful drives I've been on, but I wouldn't suggest it in a low-slung sedan. It is also quite a desolate drive, with little traffic and a few tiny villages, so a tyre repair kit might be a good idea. And you should check about the snow at the pass. Good luck!

4th March 2013, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by faustus77

The route to be taken is the so called defence road and over the Ranjit Sagar dam and at a certain point you turn towards Dalhousie/Chamba.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishan.agarwal

I did the Chamba-Bhaderwah road in early June 2011 in an Innova. The road is mostly unmetalled in J&K and we were really lucky to make it through without a puncture.

Thanks a lot, faustus77 and ishan.agarwal for kind suggestions. After weighing pros and cons, I am inclined to take the route via Ranjit Sagar Dam and Udhampur. In a rare coincidence, both MMI and Google Maps agree on this route!

faustus77 · 6th March 2013, 00:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

Thanks a lot, faustus77 and ishan.agarwal for kind suggestions. After weighing pros and cons, I am inclined to take the route via Ranjit Sagar Dam and Udhampur. In a rare coincidence, both MMI and Google Maps agree on this route!

Hi.
Udhampur Dhar and then on to Dalhousie.
When you start your journey on the dam the security guys will give you a chit which you have to surrender at the end.However they may check in between but give the chit only at the end.
Lakhanpur was the place where I got unnecessary stuck as I took a wrong turn.
Regards

6th March 2013, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by faustus77

When you start your journey on the dam the security guys will give you a chit which you have to surrender at the end.

Thanks a lot, Sir, for the valuable suggestion. BTW, I found out that a 592 m long cable-stayed bridge at Basohli is scheduled to be completed by September 2014 only according to this news report. After completion, it will provide a connectivity to NH 1A and areas besides Ranjit Sagar Dam.

Name: BasohliBridge 1.png
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Name: BasohliBridge 1.png
Views: 1447
Size: 274.3 KB

hvkumar · 6th March 2013, 08:36

They have been talking about the Basohli-Bhaderwah-Kishtwar route for last any years ever since Ghulam Nabi Azad was CM of J&K!

Currently, the Kyari-Bhaderwah road is mostly dirt, very narrow & gets closed down due to snow fall between Bani & Bhaderwah.

The next linkage from Kishtwar to Anantanag is via Sinthan Pass. This road has been improved tremendously in the last few years but still a snow-bound road between Chingham & Dakshum across Sinthan Top.

I am quite sceptical of this route ever being pen round the year although it will definitely provide some relief in the summer.

20th January 2009, 08:45	#1
recker_us BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 189 Thanked: 28 Times	Dalhousie - Srinagar is just 283 kms? Hi, I stumbled on this unheard route while browing through Yahoo Maps. Looks like there is a very less travelled route Dalhouise via Doda, Kishtwar that goes to Anantnag. From thsi route, Srinagar is Just 283 kms. You dont touch Jammu region at any point. Just 60kms from Dalhouise, you enter J&K at Doda district. The map doesnt show much inhabitation on this route. The road condition is not known and might be bad also, so I am tempted to do it on a bicycle/bike. Anyone been to this route? I am concerned also about the safety part. We hardly hear about Doda/Kishtwar. The only time I have heard about it is when there is either a terrorist event or any snowfall. Is it required to have permits to enter thia area? Here is the link to info on yahoo maps: Yahoo! India Maps Thanks, Jyoti
	() Thanks

21st January 2009, 10:25	#3
recker_us BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 189 Thanked: 28 Times	Has anyone been to Doda/Kishtwar area offlate? Thansk, Jp
	() Thanks

30th January 2009, 15:24	#5
wanderernomad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 2,534 Thanked: 1,276 Times View My Garage	AFAIK that route is still not operational. Maybe you can try it out on a bicycle but do not venture alone. Scenic route it should be but the conditions will not be very comfortable. Entry/ Exit will be from the Pangi valley in Chamba and would take you near to Sach pass which is now connected to the Keylong Sub division now enroute to Manali. Explore that route and I am sure you will not be dissappointed.
	() Thanks

30th January 2009, 16:04	#6
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	It is open as per accounts this year (Sach pass). And in 2004 (?) when a bunch of bulleteers rode that way after the Udaipur side to Leh was closed - there's a post here: Yahoo! Groups
	() Thanks

16th May 2011, 11:27	#7
ishan.agarwal Newbie Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mumbai, Bangalore Posts: 3 Thanked: Once	Re: Dalhousie - Srinagar in just 283 kms Hi. Has anyone done the Chamba-Bhaderwah-Doda route recently (=2010/2011)? Is it likely to be open in early June? Also, any information on the general safety situation in Doda and Kishtwar in Jammu would be much appreciated. Ishan Last edited by ishan.agarwal : 16th May 2011 at 11:45.
	() Thanks

16th May 2011, 12:22	#8
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	Re: Dalhousie - Srinagar in just 283 kms The only problem with your route is "militancy". So its mostly avoided. But as others said, if you are a daredevil, go for it!
	() Thanks

1st March 2013, 18:50	#9
J.Ravi Posts: n/a	Re: Dalhousie - Srinagar in just 283 kms What is the best route from Chamba [HP] to Srinagar [J&K]? MMI shows the shortest route on SH 35 via Bhaderwah and Doda, but Google Maps shows the longer route via Pathankot. Will the shortest route recommended by MMI be a good motorable one for a sedan in September? Kindly advise.
	() Thanks

1st March 2013, 22:02	#10
faustus77 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: mumbai Posts: 450 Thanked: 188 Times	Re: Dalhousie - Srinagar in just 283 kms J.Ravi Hi The Pathankot route is definitely longer when you travel from Srinagar to Chamba.You dont have to go anywhere near it. The route to be taken is the so called defence road and over the Ranjit Sagar dam and at a certain point you turn towards Dalhousie/Chamba.This was given by a resident of Srinagar who drives to Dalhousie more than 10 times a year. Unfortunately for me I asked a truck driver for directions after the dam and I landed up at Pathankot and that too after getting stuck at the J&K/HP border. Regards
	(1) Thanks

4th March 2013, 12:38	#11
ishan.agarwal Newbie Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mumbai, Bangalore Posts: 3 Thanked: Once	Re: Dalhousie - Srinagar in just 283 kms I did the Chamba-Bhaderwah road in early June 2011 in an Innova. The road is mostly unmetalled in J&K and we were really lucky to make it through without a puncture. There is a small pass at about 3200m which gets snowed in for much of the year. We were told by some troops at an army camp that it was cleared ten days before we got there, and then it rained and was closed off a week after we passed through. Took us about 10 hrs, Chamba-Bhaderwah. One of the most beautiful drives I've been on, but I wouldn't suggest it in a low-slung sedan. It is also quite a desolate drive, with little traffic and a few tiny villages, so a tyre repair kit might be a good idea. And you should check about the snow at the pass. Good luck!
	(1) Thanks

6th March 2013, 08:36	#15
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,369 Thanked: 3,454 Times	Re: Dalhousie - Srinagar is just 283 kms? They have been talking about the Basohli-Bhaderwah-Kishtwar route for last any years ever since Ghulam Nabi Azad was CM of J&K! Currently, the Kyari-Bhaderwah road is mostly dirt, very narrow & gets closed down due to snow fall between Bani & Bhaderwah. The next linkage from Kishtwar to Anantanag is via Sinthan Pass. This road has been improved tremendously in the last few years but still a snow-bound road between Chingham & Dakshum across Sinthan Top. I am quite sceptical of this route ever being pen round the year although it will definitely provide some relief in the summer.
	(1) Thanks