Kashmir leaders oppose railway projects threatening agricultural land

On December 4, 2024, leaders from the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party opposed two proposed railway lines in south Kashmir. They argue the projects will disrupt 288 hectares of agricultural and horticultural land. MP Aga Syed Ruhullah criticized the government for not consulting locals and violating land acquisition laws. He highlighted the importance of the horticulture sector, which supports 35 lakh people in the region. PDP leader Iltija Mufti echoed these concerns, urging the government to protect fertile lands. She emphasized that development should not harm local livelihoods or ecology and called for the use of non-agricultural land instead.