The Indian government has initiated the distribution of onion stocks from buffer reserves to major consumption centres using a hybrid transportation model. This move aims to ensure adequate availability and moderation of seasonal price pressures.
The Government of India has commenced a calibrated release of onion buffer stocks through a hybrid transportation system consisting of railway rakes, referred to as Kanda Express, and road transport. The purpose is to guarantee sufficient supply and mitigate seasonal price fluctuations.
Two Kanda Express consignments have been dispatched from Nashik. The first rake, carrying 460 MT, was dispatched on August 27th 2026 in the late hours. Of this, 140 MT was subsequently distributed across Varanasi, Lucknow, Chandigarh, and Amritsar, with the remaining quantity distributed across the Delhi-NCR region. The second rake, carrying 840 MT of onions, reached Chennai on 31 August 2026.
The State Government of Tamil Nadu plans to distribute these onions through the Public Distribution System (PDS) against the requirement of 1 kg per card. The onions are likely to be distributed across various districts of Tamil Nadu as per the proposed district-wise clustering: District Combination – Chennai PDS 1 + Chennai PDS 2, Tiruvallur + Kancheepuram+ Chengalpattu + Vellore + Ranipet + Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai + Villupuram +Kallakurichi, Coimbatore + Nilgiris, Salem + Namakkal +Dharmapuri + Krishnagiri, Cuddalore + Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam + Tiruvarur, Ariyalur+ Perambalur, Theni + Virudhunagar, Sivagangai + Ramanatnapuram, Tirunelveli + Tenkasi, Tuticorin + Kanyakumari.
Around 1,000 MT of onions are being moved by road to major consumption centres based on prevailing market conditions and price trends. The aim is to improve availability and moderation of seasonal price pressures.
Retail intervention efforts have expanded significantly across 19 cities, supported by the dispatch of over 40 mobile vans. These cities include Jaipur, Jammu, Dehradun, Shimla, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Guwahati, Lucknow, Bhojpur (Bihar), Sharif (Bihar), Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Madurai, Thrissur and Kochi. The retail initiative has also been launched in Lucknow by Shri B.L. Verma, Minister of State for M/o Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
Retail sale of onions continues at Rs. 35 per kg through NCCF, NAFED, Kendriya Bhandar outlets and mobile vans, ensuring affordable availability for consumers.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
