New Delhi: In a bid to further stabilize onion prices and boost domestic supply, a second train carrying 840 metric tonnes of onions arrived at Delhi’s Kishanganj Railway Station today. This second consignment follows the initial 1,600 metric tonnes of onions transported by rail to Delhi on 20 October, a PIB press release stated.
The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) procured onions under the Department of Consumer Affairs’ price stabilization fund. The onions will be primarily sold at Azadpur Mandi to increase overall market availability. However, a portion of the stock will be available for retail purchase at a subsidized rate of Rs 35 per kilogram.
This initiative marks the first time bulk transportation of onions by rail has been implemented to ensure timely, reliable, and cost-effective delivery across different regions. Following the success of the initial consignment to Chennai on October 26, 2024, another train carrying 840 metric tonnes of onions departed Nashik for Guwahati earlier today.
To date, over 1.40 lakh tonnes of onions have been dispatched from Nashik and other source centers to consuming centers nationwide through road transport. This initiative has seen the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) cover 104 destinations across 22 states. The government’s efforts, including partnerships with retail chains like SAFAL, Kendriya Bhandar, and Reliance Retail, have further facilitated the distribution of onions at Rs 35 per kilogram to retail consumers.
These measures have significantly contributed to stabilizing onion prices in major states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi. The all-India average retail prices have remained largely stable throughout October. The recent onion shipment to Guwahati is expected to bolster availability in the northeastern states, potentially leading to price reductions in the region and impacting the all-India average positively.
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