Ministry of Railways’ proposals for construction of new 40.2 kilometers railway line between Baramulla and Uri, and doubling of 73.5 kilometers Qazigund-Budgam line, which presently operates as a single track and no mention of rail line to twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch has made it amply clear that whichever party is in power in the centre, its heart starts beating for Kashmir Province.
It is agonizing that in the aforesaid case also the central ministry has shown no affinity towards aspirations of people of Jammu region who are demanding a rail connection for Rajouri and Poonch districts, which is not only vital as far as socio-economic development is concerned but also strategically as LoC runs along this belt. No one can deny the fact that railways not just connect places; rather it connects people, ideas, economies, and opportunities.
It is a known fact that regions having rail connectivity progress manifold times more than those having no rail connection whether it is tourism, trade, employment, healthcare or education. As far as education is concerned, the railways itself has the potential to absorb hundreds of young men and women by providing them employment opportunities and giving a meaning to their lives to help them live with dignity and pride. It was justifiable that the terrain in Jammu-Poonch stretch is difficult but if Jammu-Srinagar stretch could become a reality then our engineers can achieve any feat in this direction and it seems that prejudice of the people at helm in the centre is playing spoilsport in this case.
The question arising in the minds of those who belong to Poonch and Rajouri, or those having an affinity towards these regions is quite appropriate that why are the helmsmen in favour of consistent neglect of these twin border districts when it comes to railway development? This step motherly treatment towards these districts is totally unjust and unacceptable especially when the government is technically so advanced that it is planning things to be accomplished on the surface of the moon in coming years.
It is universally true that these two border districts were strategically crucial for being situated close to the Line of Control (LoC), and consistently facing the brunt of unprovoked attacks from across the border, and underdevelopment making it necessary to create such an edifice in the region to ensure development in real sense stopping migration of the people to big cities and also bringing facilities at people’s doorsteps without much effort. The demand for this connectivity is not new as it has been there for decades supported by different entities especially local population and political representatives.
The government should ensure equitable development in all sectors and therefore rail connectivity is no privilege for the people rather it is their right in the part of the UT. What is necessary for Kashmir also holds good for Poonch and Rajouri and therefore the persistent neglect of these districts is annoying and totally unjustified.
