Anger brews after the proposed railway line alignment marking in Baramulla college
Srinagar: Anger is brewing in north Kashmir’s Baramulla town, a day after the proposed railway line alignment was marked in one of the oldest college grounds.
The proposed Baramulla-Uri railway line will pass through key locations in Baramulla city, Sheeri, Gantmulla, Boniyar, Limber, and Lagama villages before it touches Uri town, close to the Line of Control in North Kashmir.
The 50-kM Baramulla-Uri, already approved by the Government of India, would serve as an extension of the under-construction Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and once completed would extend the Indian railways network close to LoC in Uri dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
After the alignment was marked at Degree College Baramulla on Thursday, the civil society got together and proposed a meeting on the ground to express their anger over the move. However, the meeting was deferred after local authorities held a meeting with the civil society members.
A high-level delegation comprising members of Civil Society Baramulla including Traders Federation Baramulla, prominent members of Bar Association Baramulla, Auqaf Islamia Baramulla, and members of various sports bodies and associations of Baramulla town met Deputy Commissioner Baramulla and apprised him about the concerns of the residents of town about the famous sports ground of town known as “College Ground” which has been marked by the railway officers for proposed Baramulla Uri railway line.
The proposed railway track, if constructed, would bisect the College playground in the middle and it is the only ground left for sports lovers in Baramulla, one of the fourth largest populous Urban centers of J&K.
“In the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla assured the members of Civil society that he will speak to government and top railway authorities about the issue and this ground will be saved for future generations of the town,” a statement issued by the civil society Baramulla read.
“The Deputy Commissioner told the delegation that they will try to get alternate land for the railway track adjacent to the college ground,” it added.
After the meeting, the civil society members said they would wait for a few days before taking any future action.
The President of the Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Baramulla said this decision, if implemented, will not only rob the community of its recreational space but will also deal a severe blow to the aspirations and dreams of thousands of sports enthusiasts,”
The sports lovers feel that taking the proposed railway track through the middle of the College grounds “reflects a lack of understanding of the importance of sports in fostering physical well-being, community cohesion, and the holistic development of individuals, particularly the youth”