New Delhi, Feb 3 (JKNS): The Central Government has decided to keep the proposed expansion of railway lines in the Kashmir Valley on hold, citing strong reservations from the Jammu and Kashmir administration, local representatives and concerns over environmental impact.
According to officials, the proposed laying of additional railway tracks along the Baramulla–Srinagar corridor has been suspended following objections raised by the UT government and public representatives. The move underscores the Centre’s emphasis on stakeholder consultation and sustainable development.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as per news agency JKNS, said the decision reflects the government’s commitment to cooperative federalism. “The state government and local MPs clearly conveyed their concerns. Respecting their views and in the spirit of collaborative development, these projects have been kept on hold,” he said.
The suspension also applies to at least three other railway projects in the Valley where preliminary survey work had commenced. The Minister noted that initial assessments pointed to serious environmental concerns, particularly the potential threat to apple orchards, which form the backbone of Kashmir’s horticulture-based economy.
“Preliminary surveys indicated possible risks to apple orchards and local livelihoods,” Vaishnaw said, adding that the projects have been halted indefinitely pending further review, sources said.
Reacting to the development, JKNC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, in a statement issued here, thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Members of Parliament from Jammu and Kashmir for what he termed as a timely and crucial intervention.
He said the move to halt the proposed railway lines between Anantnag–Pahalgam and Anantnag–Shopian would safeguard the livelihoods of people and protect orchards in the region. “This is a government that listens to the people’s concerns and acts accordingly,” Dar added. (JKNS)