Sir,
People of Jammu Division in general and Poonch-Rajouri districts in particular were jubilant on the decision of present Central Government regarding layout of Jammu-Poonch railway line. Spade work in this direction had already been completed to some extent. Linking Poonch-Rajouri districts with railway facilities and bringing the twin border Districts on railway map was a befitting reply for one neighbouring country who is still far behind in matters of progress and development. As a laymen one could guess the rail track from Jammu to Poonch which seems seems to be not a herculean task as compared with the railway track from Jammu to Katra or Jammu-Udhampur to Srinagar.
People of Poonch-Rajouri have suffered a lot on account of three wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971. Their economic condition is not so better as compared with economic condition of people of other districts. By providing Rail links, they were dreaming for better prospects. But the recent decision of the Central Government regarding cancellation of the proposed Rail project as the same has been shelved, is shocking news especially for all of us who were having very high hopes with the proposed railway project.
Paucity of funds is not a big problem for the Central or UPA Govt. especially when crores of rupees are being spent on unproductive matters. Crores and crores of rupees have been swallowed by the corrupt ministers at the helm of affairs. In many cases their properties have been attached. If a friction of the amount recovered from them is utilized for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden masses then the dream for construction of many railway projects will come true.
Our Chief Minister has taken very bold and drastic steps for the welfare of the masses. The recent step of setting up of new Administrative units is a step forward to address developmental aspiration of the people and catapult socio-economic development in all nooks and corners of the State. If the railway project is again given a cool mind and the Centre is rationally approached for providing funds and reconsidering the shelved matter, then it is hoped that this will add an additional feather in the caps of the coalition partners in general and the Chief Minister in particular.
Yours etc…..
J.S. Awal, Poonch
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