Dr Firdous Ahmad Qazi
“Development that uproots people without securing their future is not progress; it is displacement.” Railway expansion in Jammu and Kashmir is widely presented as a landmark step toward development and connectivity. Improved transport infrastructure is indeed essential for regional integration and economic growth. However, in Kashmir—particularly in the Valley—the socio-economic impact of railway projects demands serious reflection, especially at a time when unemployment is high and the economy remains heavily dependent on horticulture. Kashmir’s economic structure is unique and fragile. The horticulture sector alone supports nearly 35 lakh people directly or indirectly, with about seven lakh families depending on it for their livelihood. Apples, walnuts, cherries, and saffron are not just agricultural products; they form the backbone of rural income and employment. Railway alignments cutting through fertile land have resulted in the loss of productive orchards that take decades to mature. Once such land is acquired, the damage is often permanent. Compensation for acquired land remains a contentious issue. Monetary compensation may address immediate loss but fails to ensure long-term livelihood security. For families solely dependent on orchards, land acquisition often means loss of a sustainable income source, pushing them towards economic vulnerability rather than stability. Unemployment further compounds these concerns. Although official data places unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir at around six percent, the reality on the ground—particularly for educated youth—is far more severe.
“For railway projects in Kashmir to be successful, they must transition from pure infrastructure expansion to a people-centric model. This requires transparency through impact assessments, the preservation of vital horticultural land, and a commitment to local hiring. Without meaningful community engagement, these projects risk causing socio-economic displacement rather than fostering genuine regional progress.”
Agriculture and allied sectors still employ over 40 percent of the workforce, yet large infrastructure projects like railway construction have generated limited employment for locals. The widespread engagement of outside labour has intensified feelings of exclusion and marginalisation among local youth. Environmental implications cannot be overlooked. Hill cutting, deforestation, and disruption of natural drainage systems threaten Kashmir’s fragile ecology.
These interventions increase the risk of landslides, soil erosion, and long-term environmental degradation, directly affecting agriculture and water resources in the region. It is important to emphasise that the people of Kashmir are not opposed to development or connectivity. What they seek is development that is inclusive, sustainable, and sensitive to local realities. Railway projects must be accompanied by transparent impact assessments, protection of horticultural land, priority employment for locals, and meaningful community engagement. Development should ultimately improve the quality of life of the people it affects. Without a people-centric approach, railway expansion in Kashmir risks becoming a source of socio-economic stress rather than a catalyst for progress.
(The author is a Lecturer at Management Studies Department, Govt Degree College Shopian. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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