Locals express concern over impact on livelihoods, land ownership
Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian, Mar 13 : District Magistrate of Shopian, Faz Lul Haseeb on Wednesday assured that the people’s voices will be heard and considered before any final decision is made regarding the proposed railway line in the district.
Speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the DM, who is also the Deputy Commissioner Shopian, said railway authorities had taken the marking process of the railway line in the Zainapora area of the district where some locals have objected to it. He said people have various apprehensions and misconceptions in this regard which are being looked into.
“Before granting approval for the railway line, the administration will engage with local residents to ensure their concerns are taken into account,” Haseeb said, adding that the revenue authorities have been instructed to prepare a detailed report in this regard.
The government’s recent green signal for the final survey of five rail lines in Kashmir, including the Awantipora-Shopian route via Kulgam, has sparked protests among residents of Reshipora and Pahnoo areas in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. The locals fear that the construction of the railway line will lead to the displacement of hundreds of families, depriving them of their land and livelihoods.
The residents said many families rely on their orchards for livelihood, and the proposed railway project threatens their way of life. They urged authorities to either relocate the railway line or reconsider its construction, fearing the project will leave hundreds of families landless.
The locals appealed to higher authorities to address their grievances and ensure a fair resolution to the ongoing dispute over the proposed railway line—(KNO)
