NEW DELHI, Feb 03: The Central Government has put on hold the expansion of railway lines in the Kashmir Valley, prioritizing local stakeholder consultations and environmental safeguards, official sources said on Tuesday.
Sources told that the planned construction of additional lines along the Baramulla-Srinagar corridor, have been suspended. The decision comes after the Jammu and Kashmir administration and local public representatives expressed strong reservations about the proposals.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the government is committed to cooperative federalism and sustainable development. “The state government and local MPs clearly communicated their concerns. In deference to their position and in the spirit of collaborative development, these projects have been put on hold,” Vaishnaw said.
The suspension extends to at least three other projects where preliminary surveys had begun. The Minister highlighted that initial assessments flagged significant environmental risks, particularly to the region’s vital horticulture sector.
“Preliminary surveys indicated a potential risk to apple orchards, which are a cornerstone of the local economy,” Vaishnaw stated. He confirmed that these ventures have been suspended indefinitely pending further review, sources added. (KNS)
