1 week ago
Kanda Express Trains Aim to Curb Rising Onion Prices
The government is sending extra onions by train to cities where onions have become expensive.
These special trains are called Kanda Express, which means Onion Express.
The first shipments will go to five cities, including Delhi and Chennai.
The onions will be sold in shops for ₹35 per kilogram.
The average onion price across India has risen sharply compared with last year.
The government says it has enough stored onions to help supply the market.
Officials are also watching prices and market arrivals closely.
They may send more onions or take other steps if prices remain high.
The Centre is sending onion buffer stocks from Nashik to major cities on dedicated Kanda Express railway rakes.
Initial supplies will target Chennai, Madurai, Delhi, Ernakulam and Guwahati, with more destinations possible.
Onions will be sold through NCCF and Nafed at ₹35 per kilogram in retail markets.
The all-India average retail onion price rose 59% year-on-year to ₹43.53 per kilogram on August 24.
The government holds 1.21 lakh tonnes of onion buffer stock and says domestic availability remains sufficient.
- Who
- The Centre, led operationally by Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, is releasing onion stocks through NCCF and Nafed.
- What
- Dedicated Kanda Express railway rakes are transporting buffer-stock onions for sale at ₹35 per kilogram.
- Where
- Onions are being moved from Nashik in Maharashtra to Chennai, Madurai, Delhi, Ernakulam and Guwahati initially.
- When
- The initiative began in 2024-2025; the current intervention follows a price increase recorded on August 24, with shipments expected to arrive by Wednesday.
- Why
- The government aims to increase supplies and moderate the seasonal rise in onion prices.
Key facts
- Retail price increase
- The all-India average retail onion price rose 59% year-on-year to ₹43.53/kg on August 24.
- Wholesale price increase
- The average wholesale price rose 68% year-on-year to ₹35.58/kg.
- Retail sale price
- Buffer-stock onions will be sold at ₹35/kg through NCCF and Nafed.
- Current buffer stock
- The Centre has maintained 1.21 lakh tonnes of onions for the current year.
- Initial destinations
- Chennai, Madurai, Delhi, Ernakulam and Guwahati.
- 2025-2026 transport
- The government dispatched 86 railway rakes carrying about 88,000 tonnes to 16 major cities.
- Estimated production
- Onion production for 2025-2026 is estimated at 307.37 lakh tonnes, compared with 307.67 lakh tonnes the previous year.
Quotes
Nidhi Khare
Consumer Affairs Secretary who announced the Kanda Express destinations and government supply measures.
“Initially, the onion will be supplied to five major consumption centres, namely Chennai, Madurai, Delhi, Ernakulam and Guwahati, with additional destinations to be included subsequently based on emerging market requirements.”
rediff.com
“Mandi prices in Nashik are ruling higher than Delhi, which should not be the case. It means cartelisation and speculation are at work.”
rediff.com
Sources
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