J&K Parties and Farmers Welcome Centre’s Move To Halt Proposed Railway Lines
Throughout the past several months, villagers, growers, and civil society groups held demonstrations demanding that the government rethink the proposed routes. Many insisted on transparent consultations, fair compensation, and alternative alignments that would not jeopardise Kashmir’s horticultural economy. Their message was consistent- development must not come at the cost of fertile land and generational livelihoods.
Jammu: Political parties, farmer groups, and orchard‑dependent communities across Jammu and Kashmir have warmly welcomed the Centre’s decision to pause three proposed railway projects in the Valley. The move follows sustained objections from local residents, apple growers, and elected representatives, who warned that large‑scale land acquisition would devastate orchards and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of families.
Apple orchardist Abdul Razzak Wani, speaking over the phone from Shopian—one of the areas where vast stretches of farmland had been earmarked for acquisition—said the announcement brought immense relief. “All I can say is that we are finally breathing easier. For weeks we lived in anxiety, unsure about our future and that of our children. This decision has lifted a heavy burden from our minds,” he said.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained earlier in the day that although there had been a demand for additional railway lines beyond the existing Srinagar–Baramulla route, concerns raised by the J&K government and Members of Parliament prompted a reconsideration. They argued that the proposed alignments would cut through vast stretches of apple orchards—an economic backbone for south Kashmir. Acknowledging these objections, the Centre decided to place the projects on hold. The announcement comes after months of protests in Pulwama, Shopian, and Anantnag, where residents feared the loss of agricultural land, destruction of orchards, and potential displacement.
Throughout the past several months, villagers, growers, and civil society groups held demonstrations demanding that the government rethink the proposed routes. Many insisted on transparent consultations, fair compensation, and alternative alignments that would not jeopardise Kashmir’s horticultural economy. Their message was consistent- development must not come at the cost of fertile land and generational livelihoods.
Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the Centre’s decision, calling it a much‑needed relief for Kashmir’s agrarian sector. In a post on ‘X’, she said, ““The decision to put the Pahalgam and Shopian railway lines on hold brings much needed relief to Kashmir’s agrarian economy. These projects threatened to destroy scarce fertile land and push over a million rural families into uncertainty. Development that uproots farmers is not progress. Any future plan must be reviewed transparently, with farmers and local communities taken on board, to protect Kashmir’s economy and social fabric.”
The ruling National Conference also praised the intervention. Party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the party’s MPs for raising the issue at the highest levels. He said that halting the proposed Anantnag–Pahalgam and Anantnag–Shopian tracks was essential to protecting people’s livelihoods and preserving the Valley’s orchards. According to him, the decision reflects a government that listens to public concerns and responds accordingly.
