The Government of India is transporting 1,600 MT of onions by rail to stabilise prices.
In a move aimed at stabilising onion prices during the festive season, the Government of India has initiated the transportation of 1,600 metric tons (MT) of onions from Nashik to Delhi NCR via rail. This bulk consignment, procured by the National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India (NCCF) under the price stabilisation fund, is being shipped using 42 BCN wagons, equivalent to 53 trucks, and is scheduled to arrive by October 20, 2024. This marks the first time that onions are being transported by rail rake as part of a price stabilisation measure.
The Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Nidhi Khare, announced during a press briefing that rail transport is set to play a pivotal role in distributing onions across key regions. Additional shipments to Lucknow, Varanasi, and several destinations in the northeastern states, including New Jalpaiguri (Siliguri), Dibrugarh, New Tinsukia, and Changsari, are being planned. This initiative will ensure wider availability of onions at reasonable prices across the country.
The bulk transport of onions by rail is a cost-effective and efficient way to ensure timely delivery to high-demand areas.
