‘Kanda Express’ Brings Onions to Delhi at ₹35/kg; Government Steps In
The Delhi government on Tuesday said it will procure onions and sugar from the Centre’s National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and ensure their availability across the Capital if prices rise further. The assurance came after a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, which noted that there is currently no shortage of either commodity in the city.
“The meeting noted that there is currently no shortage of onions or sugar in the capital. However, if prices rise further, the Delhi government will ensure that residents do not have to bear the additional burden,” the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in an official release.
According to the CMO, onions and sugar will be sold at the procurement price, while the government will bear transportation and other related costs. The move is aimed at shielding consumers from any future price spikes.
On Tuesday, retail onion prices in Delhi stood at ₹55 per kg, while sugar was retailing at ₹64 per kg, up from ₹63.05 per kg a day earlier. The government’s intervention comes as part of a broader effort to keep essential commodities affordable.
In a separate development, the Union government will sell onions at ₹35 per kg in the national capital — a discount of nearly 36% from the prevailing average retail price. The first consignment of 800 tonnes will reach Delhi on Wednesday via the ‘Kanda Express’ (onion train), according to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare.
“Kanda Express is bringing about 800 tonnes of onions to Delhi to be sold at ₹35 per kg at NAFED, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar outlets,” Khare said in a social media post.
The Centre is procuring onions from Maharashtra, a key onion-producing state, where it has maintained a buffer stock to deal with price fluctuations. The buffer stock mechanism allows the government to release supplies into the market when prices rise sharply.
On sugar, Food and Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the Centre has prescribed stock limits to prevent hoarding. “The Delhi government will take action if sugar is found to have been stored beyond the prescribed limit. The department has also been directed to examine how sugar can be made available to people at affordable rates,” the statement said.
Onion prices have historically been sensitive in India, often rising due to supply disruptions from rains or other factors. The ‘Kanda Express’ is a targeted intervention to increase supply in the capital and cool prices. Similarly, sugar prices have seen an uptick recently, prompting the government to impose stock limits and encourage release of inventories.
The Delhi government’s plan to sell onions and sugar at procurement price is contingent on further price increases. For now, officials say there is adequate stock. However, the readiness to step in signals a proactive approach to managing essential commodity prices.
The initiative is also being watched as a model for other states that may face similar price pressures. The use of NAFED and other central agencies ensures a streamlined supply chain from farm to retail outlets.
Consumers in Delhi will be able to purchase onions at the subsidised rate from designated NAFED, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar outlets once the consignment arrives. The government has urged residents to utilise these outlets and avoid panic buying.
As the Kanda Express rolls into the capital, the focus remains on ensuring that price relief reaches the common person. Both the central and Delhi governments have emphasised their commitment to maintaining affordability of essential food items.
