Srinagar: Amid strong opposition by locals over transfer of 4,834 kanals and 19 marlas of fertile agricultural land in Newa, Pulwama, for the establishment of a new National Institute of Technology (NIT) campus, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that if the people of the area oppose the transfer, the government would consider ‘relocating it to another area where support for the project exists’.
He said that if communities from the areas affected by the land transfer collectively reject the proposal, the government would explore alternative locations.
The land earmarked for the project is home to huge apple and almond orchards, which residents rely on for their livelihoods. Local farmers have expressed deep concerns about the potential loss of their agricultural land, with many fearing economic hardship. Residents have called on the government to reconsider its decision, arguing that the land is critical to their economic stability and sustenance.
Earlier, Ab Rashid Lone, a resident of Newa, stressed upon the long-term effort invested in cultivating the orchards, stating that the land supports the livelihood and education of local families. He urged the government to protect the community’s economic rights by identifying alternative land for the NIT campus.
MLA Pulwama, Waheed Ur Rehman Para, also voiced opposition to the project, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the use of Kherwa land, a vital almond-producing area. In a post on X, he suggested relocating the project to a 6,000-kanal plot in Tral, which he argued would be better suited for the NIT campus. Para further expressed that the community welcomes the NIT but insisted that fair compensation and guaranteed local employment opportunities be part of the project.
The political opposition has also weighed in, with PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, raising objections over the acquisition of the land. In a post on X, Mufti questioned the necessity of seizing 5,000 kanals of prime agricultural land for the NIT, critiquing the government’s priorities in the region.
Despite the objections, the government has initiated the process to transfer the land, with the Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama leading a team to expedite the process. The move continues to stir controversy, with local residents, politicians, and activists calling for the project to be reconsidered or relocated to preserve vital agricultural resources.
