Apple farmers oppose proposed railway line in south Kashmir

Apple farmers in South Kashmir’s Pulwama and Shopian districts have expressed strong opposition to a proposed railway line, for which a survey was recently initiated, terming it a “disaster” for the region’s horticulture sector.

Growers from several villages in the two districts said that surveyors have already erected marking pillars following the survey, raising alarm among orchardists whose livelihoods depend on apple cultivation.

Raja Abdul Waheed, District Development Council (DDC) member from Shopian and head of a committee formed by locals to address the issue, said the railway line is proposed to connect Pulwama with Shopian.

“Over five lakh apple trees will be affected if this proposal is implemented. In addition, protected trees such as Chinar will also be impacted,” Waheed said, adding that the proposed alignment passes through several villages.

Terming the move “unfortunate,” Waheed said farmers were not consulted before the survey was carried out. “Surveyors came and erected marking pillars without taking locals into confidence,” he claimed.

He said they have approached local legislators and concerned authorities, but they too were unaware of the project. “If the authorities continue with the project, we will approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT),” Waheed warned.

Ghulam Ahmad Wani, an apple grower from Pulwama district, said his orchard comprising around 250 apple trees would be destroyed if the proposal is finalised. “This is the only source of income for our family,” he said, adding that there was no need for such a railway line given the scale of damage it would cause to families in South Kashmir.

Wani said government projects are meant to benefit people, but in this case, the outcome would be the opposite. “It will hit every affected family hard financially,” he added.

Shopian MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay also opposed the proposal, calling it a “disaster for horticulture in the region.” He said that nearly 15,000 apple trees in his constituency alone would be affected if the project goes ahead.

The MLA said he would raise the issue during the upcoming Assembly session beginning next month in Jammu.

Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti criticised CM Omar for remaining “silent on key issues,” particularly land acquisition and the concerns of orchardists. A senior railway official, however, said on Saturday that authorities always consider larger public interest while planning projects.