453 Tonnes Of Onions Reaches Delhi To Reduce Prices 'Kanda Express'

The first 'Kanda Express', a dedicated rail rake carrying about 453.65 tonnes of onion from Nashik in Maharashtra, arrived in Delhi on Friday, as part of the government's efforts to boost supplies in the national capital and nearby cities and rein in prices.

"The first Kanda Express, carrying 453.65 tonnes of onion in 21 wagons, reached the national capital in the morning," Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare told media.

The onion, stored at Nashik, will be sold at a subsidised rate of Rs 35 per kg in



Delhi-NCR. Some of the stock will also be sent to nearby cities such as Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jammu, she said. 

The train was originally scheduled to reach on Wednesday but was delayed due to protests by some vested interest groups in Nashik, Khare said. However, the local administration brought the situation under control and the train took off from Nashik with a delay, she added.

The Centre currently holds about 1.21 lakh tonnes of onion as buffer stock under the Price Stabilisation Fund.