New Delhi : Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Member of Parliament from Srinagar, voiced serious concerns in Parliament regarding the construction of two new railway lines in Kashmir.
During a debate on the Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024, Ruhullah highlighted the absence of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and accused the government of violating provisions of the Land Acquisition Act 2013, which mandates public consultation and formal notices for such projects.
The proposed railway lines—one from Awantipora to Shopian, cutting through Pulwama district, and another from Anantnag to Pahalgam—will affect approximately 288 hectares of land, much of it consisting of orchards and agricultural areas critical to Kashmir’s economy. “A Social Impact Assessment was supposed to be conducted for these projects, but that was not done. We also don’t know why these projects have been initiated,” Ruhullah stated. He emphasized the need for prior notice to the affected communities and demanded the intervention of the Union Railway Minister. Ruhullah pointed out that horticulture is a lifeline for Kashmir’s economy, employing 3.5 million people—around 23% of the region’s population. “The land being impacted is crucial for the region’s economy, as it involves orchards and agricultural land,” he said. He revealed that the average income for families with orchards in some cases reaches as high as Rs 15 lakh annually. The MP criticized the government for ignoring local concerns and failing to consult affected communities. “When I asked the people who came out to protest to save their fields and agricultural land, I found out there was no local demand for this project,” he remarked, calling for clarity on the necessity of the railway lines. He further alleged that the surveys for these projects were conducted without addressing environmental, economic, and social concerns. “If the railway lines were being constructed for a legitimate purpose, the legal requirements for public notice and social impact assessment should have been fulfilled. Ignoring these steps is a violation of the law,” he asserted. Comparing the project to a “colonial initiative,” Ruhullah accused the government of sidelining democratic processes and public participation. He urged immediate government intervention to safeguard the livelihoods and lands of those affected by the projects. The MP concluded by demanding an explanation from the Minister for Railways on the purpose of these railway lines and called for compliance with legal and democratic procedures before proceeding.
