The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, announced that 1,600 MT (42 BCN wagons – approximately 53 trucks) of onions procured by National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) under the price stabilisation fund is being shipped by rail by the Kanda fast train from Nashik to Delhi NCR.
It is for the first time that bulk transport of onions by rail rake has been adopted under price stabilization intervention. The onion shipment is scheduled to arrive by 20th October, 2024 and the stocks will be released in Delhi-NCR which will substantially increase the availability to consumers during this festive season.
Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, briefing the media in New Delhi on Thursday informed that railways as a mode of onion transportation is set to gain importance as more destinations are being added to bolster the pace of disposal. Shipments by rail rake to Lucknow and Varanasi will be scheduled in next few days.
The Department has also requested Indian Railways to allow transportation of onion rakes from Nashik to multiple locations across the North-eastern region which would include NJP-New Jalpaiguri (Siliguri), DBRG-Dibrugarh, NTSK-New Tinsukia, and CGS: Changsari.
This will ensure wider availability of onions in different regions of India ensuring its availability at a very reasonable price to consumers, she added.
