Railway Minister says three projects in J&K put on hold as NC, PDP welcome move

Three railway projects in Jammu and Kashmir have been put on hold , Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said, following opposition from the state government and local MPs over concerns about damage to apple orchards and farmers’ livelihoods. The decision has been welcomed by both the ruling National Conference (NC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .

Speaking at a press conference in Jammu, Vaishnav said, “There was a demand for three railway projects in J&K, but the government here and local MPs opposed them due to apprehensions of orchard damage. These projects have been stopped for the time being.” While the minister did not specify all projects, the rail link to Pahalgam appears to be included, which had drawn strong resistance from NC, PDP, and farmers.

A section of farmers had also launched an aggressive social media campaign , warning that the projects would threaten the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on agriculture.

The National Conference thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the “critical intervention” that halted the proposed tracks between Anantnag-Pahalgam and Anantnag-Shopian , ensuring protection of people’s livelihoods and orchards. The party said, “This is the government that listens to people’s concerns and acts on it.”

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the move provides much-needed relief to Kashmir’s agrarian economy , cautioning that development that uproots farmers is not progress. She urged that future projects must be reviewed transparently , with local communities involved to safeguard the region’s economy and social fabric .

The parties’ reactions also highlight a political dimension , showcasing their influence over local development and signalling responsiveness to rural voters, as they position themselves as protectors of farmers’ interests against centrally planned infrastructure projects.