To curb the sharply rising retail onion prices in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), the Central Government has launched a large-scale market intervention drive. Under this initiative, onions from the national buffer stock are being made available to consumers at a subsidized retail price of ₹35 per kg. The primary objective of this measure is to contain market volatility, prevent artificial scarcity, and provide immediate financial relief to household budgets across the capital area.
Extensive Retail Store Network
The government has activated multiple retail sales points across the region to ensure seamless distribution to the public. Consumers can purchase the subsidized stock through several established fixed outlets, including
- Kendriya Bhandar: Approximately 100 Kendriya Bhandar stores spread across various neighborhoods in Delhi are currently stocking and selling the subsidized onions.
- NCCF and NAFED Outlets: National Consumer Cooperative Federation of India (NCCF) is distributing onions through 9 to 15 retail counters, while National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) has opened sales at 13 designated outlets.
- Safal Outlets: Mother Dairy's Safal retail store network across the city is actively involved in distributing the buffer stock onions.
- NCR Coverage: The ₹35 per kg sales initiative has also been extended to selected retail locations in neighboring NCR cities, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Gurugram.
Deployment of Mobile Delivery Vans
To reach areas lacking permanent cooperative outlets, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has deployed mobile delivery vans across major residential, commercial, and institutional zones in Delhi. The list of designated van routes covers key locations such as
- Central & Administrative Hubs: Krishi Bhawan, CGO Complex, FCI Barakhamba Road, Shastri Bhawan, Pandara Park, and INA Market.
- South & East Delhi: Lajpat Nagar, Kalkaji, CR Park, Ashram, Kidwai Nagar, Bhikaji Cama Place, Jangpura, and Mayur Vihar.
- North & West Delhi: Rohini Sector-22, Narela, Alipur, Shalimar Bagh, Wazirpur, Model Town, and Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station.
- Outer & Border Regions: Najafgarh Bus Stand, Kirti Nagar, Nangloi, Tikri Border, Bawana, and Loknayak Puram.
Bulk Logistics via 'Kanda Express'
To support the retail distribution chain and ensure uninterrupted supply, the government arranged direct freight transport from Maharashtra's Nasik district. A dedicated 21-wagon freight train named the 'Kanda Express' loaded with approximately 450 tonnes of onions was dispatched from Lasalgaon, home to Asia's largest wholesale onion market.
The train departed Lasalgaon on Wednesday afternoon at around 3:10 PM and arrived at Delhi's Adarsh Nagar Railway Station on Friday morning. Transporting this bulk shipment via rail logistics is designed to rapidly flood the local market, stabilizing wholesale rates and providing sustained price relief to consumers throughout Delhi-NCR.
