The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has implemented calibrated market intervention measures to ensure adequate availability of onions at affordable prices. As part of this intervention, buffer onions are being sold at a fixed price of ₹35 per kg through retail outlets and mobile distribution points across Delhi-NCR. This initiative responds to prevailing market conditions and aims to improve consumer access, moderate price pressures, and maintain adequate onion supplies in the market.
The Kanda Express initiative has significantly strengthened the government's logistics response by facilitating buffer onion movement from producing regions to major consumption centers. During 2024-25, approximately 12,000 metric tons of buffer onions were transported using 14 railway rakes to five cities. The program expanded substantially in 2025-26, with 86 railway rakes moving around 88,000 metric tons of onions to 16 cities across the country.
For the current intervention, onions are being transported through both rail and road networks. The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) has been integrated into the mechanism to support scientific storage and efficient distribution of buffer onions. The initiative was formally launched with Secretary of Department of Consumer Affairs Ms. Nidhi Khare flagging off mobile vans from NCCF and NAFED from Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, marking the commencement of retail onion sales at the subsidized rate of ₹35 per kg.