The Union government has halted three proposed railway projects in the Kashmir Valley after concerns were raised that the new rail lines would damage apple orchards and affect the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the decision was taken after listening to objections from the Jammu and Kashmir government, Members of Parliament and local communities. While there is demand to expand railway connectivity in the Valley, the Centre decided not to go ahead with these projects because of the possible harm to fertile agricultural land, especially apple orchards.
The railway projects that have been put on hold included proposed routes in south Kashmir, passing through districts such as Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag. These areas are known for high-quality apple production and form the backbone of the region’s rural economy. Surveys and land marking had already begun in some places, which triggered protests by orchard owners and farmers.
Apple growers feared that construction would lead to the cutting down of thousands of apple trees, loss of income and long-term damage to farmland. For many families, apple cultivation is the main source of livelihood, and farmers said compensation could not replace years of effort spent nurturing orchards.
Political leaders welcomed the Centre’s decision. National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq said the halt came after strong intervention by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who raised the issue with the Centre and stressed the need to protect farmers. He said the move would prevent heavy losses to orchard owners in south Kashmir.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also welcomed the decision, calling it a relief for farmers. She said development projects should not come at the cost of people’s livelihoods and should involve proper consultation with local communities.
The Centre has clarified that while these three projects are stopped for now, rail connectivity in Kashmir remains a priority. Officials said alternative routes or solutions may be explored in the future that do not harm agricultural land.
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