As onion prices soar ahead of the festive season, the Centre has taken swift action by transporting 1,600 tonnes of onion buffer stock using a specially arranged “Kanda Express” train. The train departed from Lasalgaon Railway Station in Nashik, Maharashtra, and arrived at Delhi’s Kishanganj Railway Station. This initiative marks a significant first in addressing the sudden price hike of onions, which recently reached ₹ 75 per kilogram in the Delhi-NCR region.
The “Kanda Express,” equivalent to 56 trucks, was organized to efficiently distribute onions in Delhi and surrounding areas where the price increase has impacted households. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare highlighted that this railway transport initiative is a cost-effective and efficient measure. She explained that transporting one rake by rail from Nashik to Delhi costs ₹ 70.20 lakh, whereas the same amount would cost ₹ 84 lakh if done by road.
In addition to the Delhi-NCR region, similar rail transport arrangements will soon be extended to cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, and northeastern states such as Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur. The government’s move aims to stabilize the skyrocketing onion prices ahead of Diwali and ensure availability for consumers during the festive season.
This proactive step by the Centre comes as onion prices have been a point of concern for households across the country, particularly during the festive period when demand spikes. By tapping into buffer stocks and streamlining transportation via the rail network, the government hopes to ease price pressures and ensure a steady supply in key markets.
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