5 days ago
Kanda Express Delivers Onions to Delhi as Prices Rise
Onions became much more expensive in Delhi.
The government sent a special train called Kanda Express from Nashik to bring more onions.
The train carried 453.65 tonnes in 21 wagons.
The onions are planned to be sold for Rs 35 per kilogram in Delhi-NCR.
Some will also go to Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jammu.
The government says the extra onions could lower prices within a week.
Traders said prices had already started falling as more onions reached wholesale markets.
Official and trader price reports differed, with official data showing Rs 62 per kg and some traders citing Rs 35-40 per kg.
The first Kanda Express carried 453.65 tonnes of onions from Nashik to Delhi in 21 wagons.
The onions will be sold at a subsidised price of Rs 35 per kg in Delhi-NCR.
Some of the stock will be sent to Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jammu, with further trains planned for four other cities.
Consumer Affairs Ministry data showed Delhi retail onion prices at Rs 62 per kg on Thursday, up 88 per cent from a year earlier.
The Centre holds about 1.21 lakh tonnes in buffer stock, while Kanda Express shipments expanded from 14 rakes in 2024-25 to 86 in 2025-26.
- Who
- The Central government, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, onion traders, and retail agencies including the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited.
- What
- The government transported onion buffer stock from Nashik to Delhi by Kanda Express and planned subsidised sales to increase supply and reduce prices.
- Where
- The onions travelled from Nashik, Maharashtra, to Adarsh Nagar Railway Station in Delhi, with distribution planned across Delhi-NCR and nearby cities.
- When
- The train arrived on Friday, August 28, 2026; its journey had been delayed after protests in Nashik.
- Why
- To increase supplies, stabilise onion prices and provide relief to consumers after prices rose.
Government Supply Intervention
Trader Market-Supply View
Reason for rising prices
Government Supply Intervention
The government responded to higher prices by releasing buffer stock and increasing supplies to major consumption centres.
Trader Market-Supply View
Delhi traders attributed the price increase mainly to insufficient quantities reaching wholesale markets.
Impact of additional onions
Government Supply Intervention
The government expects the buffer-stock release and Kanda Express shipments to lower Delhi retail prices within a week.
Trader Market-Supply View
Traders said prices had already declined after government supplies increased, with some reporting current prices below Rs 45 per kg.
Distribution method
Government Supply Intervention
The government said consumers could buy subsidised onions through the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited, the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited, Kendriya Bhandar and other outlets.
Trader Market-Supply View
A Ghazipur trader said reports indicated that the Kanda Express consignment could subsequently be sold through an online auction.
Key facts
- First consignment
- 453.65 tonnes of onions carried in 21 railway wagons.
- Subsidised price
- Rs 35 per kg in Delhi-NCR.
- Delhi prices
- Official data recorded Rs 62 per kg on Thursday, while traders later reported prices ranging from Rs 35 to Rs 45 per kg, with best-quality onions at Rs 35-40.
- Buffer stock
- About 1.21 lakh tonnes held under the Price Stabilisation Fund.
- Additional destinations
- Some onions will be sent to Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jammu; further rakes are planned for Chennai, Madurai, Ernakulam and Guwahati.
- Production estimate
- Onion production is estimated at 307.37 lakh tonnes in 2025-26, compared with 307.67 lakh tonnes the previous year.
- Programme expansion
- The initiative grew from 14 rakes carrying nearly 12,000 tonnes to 86 rakes carrying about 88,000 tonnes for 16 cities.
Quotes
Naeem Rahman
An onion trader in Delhi
“Now more quantity of onions is being supplied across markets in Delhi. Currently, the best quality of onions is priced at Rs 35-40. This reduction in price (compared to the previous Rs 50-60) is because buffer stocks have been released and markets are now receiving sufficient quantity of the vegetable.”
freepressjournal.in
“The first Kanda Express, carrying 453.65 tonnes of onion in 21 wagons, reached the national capital in the morning.”
freepressjournal.in
rediff.com
deccanchronicle.com
theprint.in
Sources
‘Kanda Express’, Buffer Stocks Expected To Ease Onion Prices In Delhi
Kanda Express Reaches Delhi With 453 Tonnes Of Onion As Centre Moves To Cool Prices
Kanda Express brings 453 tonnes of onion to Delhi, aims to cool prices
Nashik: 'Kanda Express' Of 453 Tonnes Of Onions Reaches Delhi To Reduce Prices
‘Kanda Express’ carrying 453 tonnes of onion from Nashik reaches Delhi to help cool prices
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