Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 25: Aggrieved farmers today met with the Chief Minister’s Political Advisor to voice their concerns over the proposed satellite townships along the Srinagar Ring Road project, from Pampore to Narbal.
The delegation, led by Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Ghulam Ahmad Paul, Ali Mohammad Wani, Muzaffar Hussain, and others, apprised the advisor that further land acquisition for these townships would severely affect farming families, their livelihoods, and the environment and ecology.
CM’s advisor also heads the grievance redressal and outreach office, ‘Raabta’.
“Our agricultural land was acquired by the NHAI for the Srinagar Semi Ring Road project from Pampore (Galandar) to Narbal a few years ago, and we were not paid adequate compensation. While we are still reeling from that loss, new notifications-one by the Divisional Commissioner’s office in 2022 and the latest by the J&K Housing Board-threaten to acquire more land for satellite colonies in Pampore, Chadoora, and Budgam tehsils. This would render us landless,” read the memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister.
The delegation also highlighted the adverse environmental impact, citing the destruction of agricultural fields, streams, rivers, and karewas during the construction of the Ring Road.
“With agricultural landholdings in Kashmir already among the lowest in India, averaging less than four kanals, further acquisitions will exacerbate the crisis,” the memorandum added.
The farmers urged the cancellation of the 2022 notification by the Divisional Commissioner’s office and the recent order issued by the J&K Housing Board (Order No: HB/CLA/130-38 dated 09.10.2024).
“This is unacceptable to us. We request immediate intervention to prevent further loss of land and livelihood,” the farmers appealed.
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