Railway alignment through residential area evokes resentment in Baramulla

Baramulla, Aug 24: For Iftikar Ahmad Banday, the recent Baramulla–Uri railway alignment earmarked by the authorities has snatched away his peace of mind.

It is not Banday alone but hundreds of residents from around six localities who face the immediate threat of relocation following the Department of Railways decision to route the Baramulla-Uri railway alignment through areas like Jetty, Khawajabagh, Sherwani Colony, Gutiyar, Ushkara, and other parts of Baramulla’s residential zones.

There is growing panic and concern among hundreds of residents who will be directly affected by the new railway alignment.

The anxiety among the local population is increasing with each passing day. Residents are  irked by this move, who say that many of the affected colonies have been established for over 60 years.

One such colony is Sherwani Colony, established in 1961 by the then Housing Board authorities. It was the first-ever colony developed by the Housing Board in north Kashmir. Sherwani Colony is known for its composite culture, housing a significant Sikh and Muslim population, and has both a Gurdwara and an Eidgah besides a temple.

For Banday, the decision to route the railway line through residential areas is not only devastating but catastrophic for local residents.

“It is a well-known fact that Baramulla town has very limited land compared to other towns and districts,” Iftikar said. “The town is cup-shaped, and residents in the uptown areas like Sherwani Colony, Gutiyar and other localities have been set here decades back. This railway project will uproot us from our homes.”

He said, “I am a retired employee whose parents migrated from the old town to this area more than six decades ago. Even if the government offers us adequate compensation, where will we go? At our age, constructing a new house is impossible. Moving away from this town, where we have roots and spent our lives, is something we simply cannot afford,” he added.

In the 1950s, Baramulla town was largely confined to the old town area. Over the years, with population growth, the town expanded into Khawajabagh, Ushkara, Gutiyar, Frasthar, and other uptown areas.

Residents of the affected areas expressed strong resentment over the decision to pass the railway line through established colonies, arguing that authorities should have explored alternative routes that would spare residential settlements.

“Instead, choosing this alignment through residential areas is a decision that completely disregards the interests of common people,” a resident said.

Daljit Singh, president of the Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Baramulla and a retired government employee residing in Sherwani Colony, also voiced deep concern over the move.

“It is unfortunate that the railway department finalised this survey without consulting local residents,” Singh said. “Earlier, they had conducted several surveys, but later decided on this alignment, which now threatens to displace hundreds of families.”

Singh said, “Most of us here are retired employees who have spent decades in these colonies. Where are we supposed to go at this stage of our lives?” Singh questioned.

He said that while residents met with the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla to express their concerns, they were told the railway project is a central government initiative, and the district administration’s role is limited to granting a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

“No one is against development, but if it devastates hundreds of families, it becomes a futile exercise. Authorities must consider alternative options to save these families,” Singh urged.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Baramulla has also expressed serious concern over the proposed alignment of the Baramulla–Uri railway line, which, as per the current plan, cuts through densely populated residential areas in Baramulla town and its adjoining posh colonies. In a statement issued to the media, senior party leader and District President Baramulla, Mohammad Rafique Rather, said it was deeply unfortunate that a vast stretch of residential areas, including well-established colonies, is being endangered in the name of development. “Residents of Jetty, Khawajabagh, Sherwani Colony, Fatehpora, Ushkara and other localities have been repeatedly voicing their fears about potential displacement, safety hazards, and environmental as well as noise pollution that this alignment will inevitably bring. Sadly, their appeals seem to have fallen on deaf ears,” Rather said.