Srinagar Mar 14 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Thursday asked the government to consider the shifting of proposed railway line to be laid in Reshipora, Zainapora Hamlet of district shopian as the proposed project besides leaving  hundreds of kanals of orchard land affected which will inevitably impact the local ecology.

According to a statement issued to KNS, reads that Echoing the sentiments of the Zainapora residents, State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said, “In this case, the proposed railway line will necessitate the cutting of apple orchards in these areas. Needless to say, these orchards are the only source of income for the locals. Robbing them off their productive lands will leave them financially cripled as they are totally dependent on these orchards for their livelihood. The administration should have taken locals into confidence before going ahead with the work."

He called for relocating the project by utilizing state owned land instead.(KNS)