To curb rising onion prices, the government has started wholesale supplies of onions from Nashik, Maharashtra, via a special "Kanda Express." This will bring down prices somewhat.

Onion Price Hike: Preparations to sell onions at Rs 35 per kg in these five cities

The festive season is approaching. During this time, it's not only difficult but impossible for millions of Indian families to ignore the rising prices of onions. To curb the nationwide onion price hike, the government has begun transporting its reserve stock via special railway racks to cities where consumers are paying higher prices for onions. The government has named this operation the "Kanda Express."

According to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare, the onions are initially being sent to five major high-consumption cities in the country, where they will be sold at a discounted rate of ₹35 per kilogram. The shipments currently being loaded onto the "Kanda Express" are expected to reach the designated markets by Wednesday, August 26th.

5 major cities in the first phase of 'Kanda Express'

Delhi / NCR
Chennai
Madurai
Ernakulam / Kochi
Guwahati

According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, retail onion prices in these cities have risen significantly above the national average. The department says trains will reach these cities by Wednesday, after which other locations like Kolkata and Lucknow will be added to the list depending on market needs.

Where will you get onions at Rs 35 per kg?

To control the prices in the market, this onion taken out from the buffer stock will be sold to the customers at the retail level mainly through the mobile vans and outlets of these two cooperative societies:

NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India)

NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India)

Why is the government selling onions for Rs 35?

The central government's decision comes after a sharp rise in onion prices across the country. On Monday, August 24th, the average retail price of onion across the country reached ₹43.53 per kilogram, compared to ₹27.37 per kilogram last year. This means prices have risen by more than 59% in a single year.

The average wholesale price also increased by 68% year-on-year to Rs 35.58 per kilogram. In retail markets of some major cities like Delhi and Chennai, onions are selling for Rs 55 to Rs 65 per kilogram. In Kolkata, the price is also Rs 53 per kilogram.

To prevent this surge in prices due to festive demand and weather problems in August-September, the government has a buffer stock of 1.21 lakh tonnes of onion, which is being released in phases.