We have to convey to Centre that this railway line will serve no purpose," Altaf said while interacting with residents. National Conference MLA from Bijbehara, Bashir Ahmad Veeri, has described the project as "ill-conceived" and against public interest.Echoing similar concerns, NC MLA from Pahalgam, Altaf Kaloo, questioned the very need for the line. Kaloo said NH-501 has already been sanctioned and land demarcated. "There is already a road to Pahalgam, and the parallel road has been declared NH-501. She appealed to railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to scrap it entirely.>

Source: Economic Times January 27, 2026 15:37 UTC