Srinagar: The Government on Thursday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that the Northern Railway is undertaking final location surveys for four new railway lines in the Kashmir Valley, assuring that landowners will be compensated according to law once the projects are sanctioned.
Replying to a question by MLA Javid Hassan Baig regarding railway expansion, the Transport Department said the proposed new lines include:
- Baramulla–Uri
- Sopore–Kupwara
- Anantnag–Bijbehara–Pahalgam
- Kakapora–Shopian
The government said the alignment of these lines has been finalised in consultation with the concerned district administrations. “The land requirement for these projects has been assessed and, if sanctioned, compensation will be provided to landowners as per applicable laws for acquisition of land, trees, and structures,” the reply stated.
On concerns regarding diversion of fertile agricultural land and rehabilitation of affected farmers, the government reiterated that compensation will be provided in accordance with legal provisions during the project execution stage.
Regarding environmental safeguards, the reply added that once the projects are sanctioned by the Government of India, all mitigation measures will be implemented as per environmental policy and latest guidelines to address deforestation, soil erosion, water resource disruption, and ecological imbalance.
The government further said coordination with the Government of India and Indian Railways will continue during project execution to ensure necessary mitigation measures minimize social and environmental impacts. District administrations will remain involved to address local concerns and ensure compliance with prescribed norms for environmental and social safeguards.
