SRINAGAR: A delegation of farmers and activists met with the Chief Minister’s Political Advisor on Monday to voice their concerns over the government’s plans to establish satellite townships around the Srinagar Ring Road project.
The meeting took place at the Chief Minister’s grievance redressal and outreach office, Raabta, Led by Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Ghulam Ahmad Paul, Ali Mohammad Wani, Muzaffar Hussain, and others, the delegation highlighted the adverse impact of further land acquisition on farming families, their livelihoods, and the region’s environment and ecology.
The farmers emphasized that they are still grappling with the aftermath of the initial land acquisition by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the Srinagar Semi Ring Road project. Large tracts of agricultural land were taken for the construction of the road from Pampore Galandar to Narbal, with many farmers claiming they were not adequately compensated.
In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister through the Raabta office, the delegation expressed outrage over subsequent notifications issued by the Divisional Commissioner’s office in 2022 and a recent order by the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board (No: HB/CLA/130-38 Dated October 9, 2024). These directives propose the establishment of satellite colonies and townships in Pampore, Chadoora, and Budgam tehsils, further threatening agricultural land and natural resources like rivers, streams, and karewas.
“Our remaining land will be taken away by the Housing Board, leaving us landless. This is unacceptable, especially as Kashmir Valley already has the lowest agricultural landholding in India, with an average of less than four kanals,” the memorandum stated
