Indian Railways has launched a daily parcel train service from Budgam in Kashmir Valley to Adarsh Nagar station in Delhi to transport apples directly across the country, reports New Delhi's Hindustan Times.

The move comes as a major relief to Kashmir's horticulture sector, which has suffered losses due to frequent closures of National Highway 44 caused by torrential rains and floods.

Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the service began September 13, with two parcel vans loaded with apples departing Thursday night. Eight cargoes will daily nationwide.

Mr Vaishnaw said the Jammu-Srinagar railway line's operational status has improved connectivity, empowering growers with a time-tabled cargo service.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah thanked Mr Vaishnaw, noting that coordination between his secretariat and the railway ministry enabled the launch. He said the service would prevent produce from rotting due to highway disruptions.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also welcomed the initiative, calling it a "huge relief and expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Vaishnaw.

Bashir Ahmad Bashir, president of the Fruit Growers and Dealers Association Kashmir, said growers had waited decades for such a service. He confirmed two 18-ton cargoes were being loaded, one for Jammu and one for Delhi.

Fayaz Ahmad Malik, president of Sopore fruit mandi, said the rail cargo service was a long-standing demand. He urged authorities to connect Sopore mandi, located just four to five kilometres from the station.

Waheed Ahmad, a grower from Srinagar, said the train would reduce freight costs and ensure faster delivery, boosting revenue for growers across the Valley.