India, June 8 -- The launch of Vande Bharat Express between Katra and Srinagar is an event that has the potential to alter the socio-economic dynamic of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Coming in the wake of the gruesome terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, the launch of train services connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India is a milestone rich in symbolism. An engineering marvel built over a high-altitude terrain with deep river valleys and gorges, the railway line offers a convenient and cost-effective avenue for trade and transit, and serves as a bridge between regions and people.

First, it eases travel time between the Jammu region and Kashmir Valley. The Vande Bharat speeds between Srinagar and Katra in just about three hours...