Srinagar, Feb. 20 -- Railways in Jammu and Kashmir are not just about trains; they are about rewriting the geography of opportunity. The preparation of Detailed Project Reports for the Qazigund-Srinagar-Budgam doubling project and the Baramulla-Uri new line reflects a vision that balances strategic necessity with human need. These projects, if sanctioned and executed, will carry more than passengers and freight; they will carry the aspirations of farmers, the hopes of youth, and the dreams of tourists who see the Valley as a destination of beauty and spirit.

For decades, the Valley's economy has been held hostage by distance. Farmers cultivating apples, walnuts, saffron, and rice have struggled to get their produce to national markets in...