New Delhi: Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a Member of Parliament from the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, has voiced apprehensions over the development of two new railway lines in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, calling for a Social Impact Assessment on both projects.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Mehdi argued that the projects contravene the Land Acquisition Act 2013, which requires a formal public notice and a social impact assessment before any project commencement. During a parliamentary debate on the Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024, Mehdi identified that the railway lines under scrutiny stretch from Awantipora to Shopian, involving Pulwama district, and from Anantnag to Pahalgam. He noted that these evaluations were being conducted without prior notification or social impact studies.

Mehdi expressed concern over the social ramifications of the projects, indicating that they would affect approximately 288 hectares of land, much of which is used for horticulture. Highlighting the absence of a Social Impact Assessment, he questioned the rationale behind the projects’ initiation. Mehdi emphasized the significance of the land for the region’s economy, given its use for orchards and agriculture, and noted the lack of local demand for the railway lines.

He further contended that if the railway projects were justified, they should comply with legal requirements, including public notices and social impact assessments. Mehdi criticized the project as resembling a “colonial project” due to its neglect of democratic processes, public consultation, and local necessities. He urged the government to address the issues of those affected by the project’s impact on their agricultural and horticultural lands.