SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Sunday highlighted growing public discontent over the proposed 77.5 km Anantnag-Bijbehara-Pahalgam railway line, urging authorities to prioritise dialogue with stakeholders.
Residents, particularly farmers, have raised concerns over the potential loss of fertile agricultural land, including orchards and fields, due to the project. Protests have erupted in the region following the issuance of a tender for the Final Location Survey (FLS).
Bukhari stressed the need for a transparent approach, stating, “There has never been a public demand for a railway line to Pahalgam. The authorities must engage with all stakeholders before making any decisions. No decision should be imposed on the people.”
Local experts have also warned about the environmental consequences, as the proposed railway line would cut through farmland and forested areas.
