Jammu, India: A group of villagers, including women, elderly citizens, and children, gathered at the railway station to raise concerns over the ongoing construction of a railway protection wall in Village Cheri of Udhampur .
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The wall, which is part of the railway’s safety measures, has inadvertently blocked the only access road to their village, leaving residents distressed and without essential connectivity.
Speaking on behalf of the villagers, Hajiq Rsaool highlighted the gravity of the situation. “We are not against the railway authorities constructing their boundary wall, but they must ensure an alternative pathway for us. Where will we go if this road is blocked? We have no other access, and many of our elderly and sick residents are dependent on this route for medical emergencies,” he said.
The village comprises around 2,530 households, and the blocked road was their lifeline, connecting them to essential services. Villagers lamented that their agricultural activities and daily transport needs are also severely affected.
“We have small children, elderly individuals, and heart patients who require immediate access to hospitals in emergencies. If the access is closed, how will we manage? Should we carry them on our backs?” questioned another villager.
The affected residents also pointed out that promises made during the acquisition of their lands for the railway project have not been fulfilled.
“When we gave our lands for this railway line, we were promised jobs and development. But today, our children are unemployed, and even basic necessities like roads are being taken away from us,” one resident recalled.
The villagers made a fervent appeal to local authorities, including their MLA and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, urging them to intervene and ensure that a proper access road is provided. They stressed that while they support the railway’s safety measures, the well-being and connectivity of the local population cannot be ignored.
The villagers also requested the media to amplify their plight and help bring their issue to the attention of higher authorities. “We just want justice. Let the railway construct their wall, but they must also provide us with a way to access our homes and fields. Without it, we are left stranded,” Rasool concluded.
