JAMMU, FEB. 19 ; The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday said it has finalised the alignments for four proposed railway lines in the Kashmir Valley, adding that landowners would be duly compensated if the projects receive sanction from the Centre.
In a written reply to a question by legislator Javid Hassan Baig in the ongoing Budget session of the Legislative Assembly, the government, through the Minister in-charge of the Transport Department, detailed the new routes: Baramulla-Uri, Sopore-Kupwara, Anantnag-Bijbihara-Pahalgam, and Kakapora-Shopian.
The reply as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) addressed concerns regarding the potential impact of the projects on agricultural and horticultural land. The government stated that the land requirement has been assessed, and compensation will be provided in accordance with applicable laws. “If these projects are sanctioned, during the project execution stage, land owners will be duly compensated as per applicable law towards acquisition of land, trees, and structures,” the Minister’s reply read.
On questions related to environmental concerns, including deforestation, soil erosion, and the disruption of water resources, the government said all prescribed mitigation measures would be implemented following the environmental policy and latest guidelines, once the project gets the green light from the Centre.
The government also assured that coordination with the district administrations would be maintained to minimise social and environmental impact. “The alignment has been finalised in consultation with the concerned district administrations. Once the projects are sanctioned, during project execution stage, necessary coordination with the district administration will be maintained with regard to required mitigation measures,” the Minister said. (KNS)
