Keran's Transformation: From Conflict Zone to Tourist Haven

Keran, a village along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, is pushing for development amid the assembly polls. Once known for violence, the region has seen a surge in tourism since 2021. Villagers are emphasizing the need for improved road connectivity, healthcare, and mobile networks to further boost tourism.

As border tourism gains momentum in Keran, a village situated along the Line of Control (LoC), the residents are clearly voicing their developmental priorities to the candidates in the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls.

The village, home to more than 1,071 voters, sits directly on the LoC and is separated from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) by the Kishanganga river. With a population exceeding 4,000, Keran, once notorious for cross-border shelling and infiltrations, opened to tourists in 2021 and quickly became a popular destination.

Historically plagued by violence, Keran is experiencing a steady influx of tourists who must obtain permission from the Kralpora police station in Kupwara. Located 170 kilometers from Srinagar, residents are eager to support candidates committed to transforming their region into a bustling tourist spot, especially as it lacks essential facilities such as road connectivity, mobile networks, and healthcare services.

Prominent local politicians, like Asgar Bhat, have expressed gratitude for the government's border tourism initiatives but stress the need for further improvements, particularly in road conditions. Former government employee Mumtaz Ahmad Khan noted the region's long-neglected status but acknowledged developmental changes post the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

Residents like restaurant owner Shafiq Lone and local Muneer Ahmad Bhat have pointed out the dire state of roads and healthcare facilities. Additionally, there are calls for a tourist corridor to the ancient Shardha temple in PoK, an important cultural site located just 25 kilometers away.