Jammu-Poonch Railway Project?

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagging off the train, expectations arose for initiating railway projects from Jammu to Poonch in the Pir Panjal region. However, the road ahead is not easy, as the Pir Panjal region has never been a priority for any government, despite being a victim of division and lying at the border (LOC). The railway project, long-awaited by the people, has not been realized by any government, despite projects being proposed and budgets allocated. Sadly, it was declared "financially unviable," dashing the hopes of the people not once, but twice. 

It's disheartening to witness the continuous stagnation of progress in the Pir Panjal region, whether we attribute it to the misfortune of the people, in efficiency of leaders, or negligence on the government side. This tragic tale has remained the same – promises of development confined to mere public speaking, offering nothing substantial when it comes to implementation on the ground.  

Take, for instance, the railway project – a dream nurtured and showcased for 70 years, yet its realization still remains mysterious. The proposal of the Jammu-Rajauri-Poonch railway line by the UPA government on March 22, 2012, seemed like a beacon of hope, designated as a national project. However, the green signal flashed on December 23, 2018, by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, merely sparking the hope. 

Surveys were conducted, routes were mapped, and an approximate budget of 2300 crore rupees was allocated to complete the project within three years. The railway route was planned to run from Jammu to Poonch via Akhnoor, Kaleeth, Dori, Dager, Chowki Choura, Bhambla, Nowshera, and Rajouri.v. 

According to the RTI responses provided by Director of Projects and Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of Railway Board Pankaj Kumar  the survey for the new railway line between Jammu and Poonch, with a length of 223 km, was completed in 2017-18. However, the project could not be taken forward due to being deemed "financially unviable." 

The people of Poonch and Rajauri continue to bear the brunt of disappointment, destined to wait forever, as has become customary. This isn't the first time such a travesty has unfolded in the Pir Panjal region. Whether it's discussions about airports, tunnels through the Mughal Road, establishing a Medical College in Poonch, expanding Jammu University's campus, setting up Kendriya Vidyalayas, constructing Mini Secretariats, or even declaring Poonch fort as a heritage site, bringing Sawjian, Loran and Pir Ki Gali on tourism map  – the list is endless.  

The aspirations of the locals have always been played with, and development has been held hostage to the politics of votes. Both the leaders and the system they represent lack vision and voice. They've shed the blood of the people's dreams, yet paradoxically, the masses continue to elect them as their leaders. 

Development has never truly been made a priority; instead, it's been distributed on the basis of patronage. It's high time for the people of Pir Panjal to consider their fundamental rights. Waiting for an external revolution will only lead to further despair. Before choosing their leaders for the future, they must ask themselves critical questions and make decisions based on introspection. Otherwise, these leaders will continue to exploit them, with their tall and hollow promises as usual but leaving the pubic empty handed.