Awantipora- Kakapora–Shopian railway line project shelved: GoI

New Delhi, Mar 11: The Government of India on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha that the proposed Awantipora (Kakapora)–Shopian railway line project in Jammu & Kashmir has been dropped after being found infeasible.
Replying to an unstarred question raised by MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said that a survey for the 28-kilometre rail line aimed at extending rail connectivity to Pulwama district was undertaken.
The minister said the survey assessed the feasibility of the Awantipora (Kakapora)–Shopian new railway line, but the project was later found to be not feasible and therefore dropped.
The query had sought details regarding the possible acquisition of orchard land, number of affected families, environmental and livelihood impact, compensation measures and alternative alignments for the project in Shopian and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir.
However, the government clarified that since the project has been dropped after feasibility assessment, the issues related to land acquisition and impact on orchards do not arise.
The proposed rail link had aimed to improve rail connectivity in Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir, the minister said. (KNO)