Srinagar: Residents of Babahara and Mongama in the Pulwama district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir have voiced strong objections to a proposed railway line, raising concerns about the potential loss of their primary source of income, their orchards. The villagers fear the project could lead to significant economic hardships by displacing hundreds of families.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the residents assert that the construction of the railway line would result in the loss of their land. Bashir Ahmed, a local from Babahara, expressed his distress over the prospect of losing apple trees he has cultivated for decades. The railway line, as planned, threatens to disrupt not only his orchard but the livelihood of many others in the region.

Bilal Ahmed, another resident, emphasized the dependency of the village on their orchards, stating that the railway line would deprive them of their means of subsistence. He criticized the project for potentially displacing villagers from their homes and urged for development initiatives that do not harm the local population.

Manzoor Ahmed from Mongama highlighted the need for the authorities to consider projects that provide livelihoods rather than take them away. He urged the administration to engage with the local populace before proceeding with plans that could have detrimental impacts on their lives.

The communities of Babahara and Mongama are appealing to the authorities to reconsider their plans, emphasizing the necessity for projects that support rather than hinder their economic stability.