Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Three proposed railway projects in Kashmir have been kept in abeyance for the time being to save apple orchards. The decision comes as a huge relief for local farmers who feared the axing of thousands of apple trees and their livelihood.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said there was a demand for three railway projects in Jammu and Kashmir, but the local Government and MPs opposed them as there were apprehensions about damage to apple orchards.
“The Jammu and Kashmir government and MPs from the state recommended against the construction of these rail lines. So, we have stopped these three projects. There was concern about damage to apple orchards due to these projects, and therefore, they have been stopped,” said Vaishnav. Though the Minister did not name the projects, they are understood to include the proposed rail link to Pahalgam, which had drawn sharp opposition from the ruling National Conference as well as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
Farmers, particularly from south Kashmir, had also mounted a strong campaign-both on the ground and on social media- arguing that the projects would threaten the livelihood of thousands of families dependent on horticulture. The decision has been welcomed across political lines. The National Conference credited Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for intervening at a crucial stage to halt the projects.