Government Expands Onion Buffer Release
Kanda Express and road transport deployed to boost supplies and moderate seasonal prices
- Two Kanda Express consignments carrying 1,290 MT have reached Delhi and Chennai.
- Around 1,000 MT of onions are being transported by road to major consumption centres.
- Retail intervention has expanded to 19 cities, with onions available at ₹35 per kg.
- ₹210 crore has been paid directly to around 3,400 onion farmers.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 1st Sept: The Government has expanded the calibrated release of onion buffer stocks through a hybrid transportation model involving railway rakes and road transport to major consumption centres, aiming to ensure adequate availability and moderate seasonal price pressures.
The disposal of onions from the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) buffer began on August 24 through NAFED and NCCF.
Kanda Express supplies Delhi and Chennai
Two Kanda Express consignments have so far been dispatched from Nashik. The first rake, carrying 450 MT of onions, reached Delhi late on August 27. Of this, 140 MT was subsequently distributed across Varanasi, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Amritsar, while the remaining quantity was supplied across the Delhi-NCR region.
The second rake, carrying 840 MT, reached Chennai on August 31. The Tamil Nadu government plans to distribute the onions through the Public Distribution System (PDS), based on a proposed allocation of 1 kg per card.
The onions are expected to be distributed across districts in different regions of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Coimbatore, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari.
Around 1,000 MT moved by road
Alongside railway transportation, around 1,000 MT of onions are being moved by road to major consumption centres based on prevailing market conditions and price trends.
Retail intervention has expanded to 19 cities, with more than 30 trucks deployed. The cities include Delhi, Jaipur, Jammu, Dehradun, Shimla, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Guwahati, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, Bhojpur, Sharif, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Madurai, Thrissur and Kochi.
The retail initiative has also been launched in Lucknow by B.L. Verma, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
Onions available at ₹35 per kg
Retail onions continue to be sold at ₹35 per kg through NCCF, NAFED, Kendriya Bhandar outlets and mobile vans.
Around 669 MT of onions has been sold so far. This includes 223 MT through bulk channels via the e-NAM portal and similar online platforms at prevailing mandi prices, and 446 MT through retail channels.
The government said the release of buffer stocks has improved availability and helped moderate prices, particularly in markets such as Varanasi, Amritsar and Delhi and adjoining areas.
₹210 crore paid directly to farmers
The government has also made direct payments of ₹210 crore to around 3,400 onion farmers, ensuring timely payment for their produce.
Authorities said security measures have been put in place to prevent leakages and address security concerns during the movement and disposal of large quantities of onions through railway rakes.
