NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 18 (NVI): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today raised an alarm over the proposed satellite townships in Jammu and Kashmir, calling them a potential environmental catastrophe.
She urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to act swiftly and halt the large-scale diversion of agricultural land for these projects, which she claims could jeopardize the Kashmir’s fragile ecological balance and agricultural economy.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Mehbooba highlighted that nearly 1,20,000 kanals of fertile agricultural land are being sacrificed to pave the way for these townships. She said that the Chief Minister has the power to intervene in this matter and must do so urgently. “There are issues beyond Omar Abdullah’s control, but this is something that is entirely within his hands. At the very least, he can take action here,” she said.
Mehbooba expressed concern over the lack of transparency and clarity surrounding these projects. She demanded answers about the purpose of the townships and their potential beneficiaries. “We need to know whether Srinagar is being decongested and its residents resettled in these townships, or if the townships are meant to bring in outsiders to settle here,” she remarked, hinting at fears of demographic shifts in the region.
The PDP chief further criticized the government’s disregard for the environmental and agricultural repercussions of the project. “This is not just about land—it’s about livelihoods, food security, and the environment. Turning fertile farmland into concrete jungles will have irreversible consequences,” she cautioned.
The proposed satellite townships have already sparked debates, with environmentalists, activists, and political groups warning of their far-reaching impact on the region’s ecology. Mehbooba’s statement adds to the growing chorus of voices demanding a re-evaluation of the project and greater accountability from the government.
As the issue continues to brew, Mehbooba’s warning serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between development and sustainability in Jammu and Kashmir—a balance that, she argues, is being dangerously tilted in the wrong direction (News Vibes of India)
