Onion prices rise: 840 MT planned for Delhi, only 450 MT sent as farmers raise quality concerns

New Delhi: The Centre’s move to bring down rising onion prices in Delhi has hit a hurdle even before the first consignment reaches the capital. Of the 840 metric tonnes (MT) of buffer-stock onions planned for Delhi, only around 450 MT was loaded onto the special Kanda Express from Lasalgaon in Maharashtra.

The shortfall was not simply a matter of transport. The onions had to be graded, sorted and packed before loading, delaying the train’s departure by several hours. Farmers also stopped the train at Lasalgaon, alleging that poor-quality and rotten onions were being sent to Delhi.

The 21-bogie goods train eventually left Lasalgaon at around 3.10 pm on Wednesday and is expected to reach Delhi late Thursday.

Why did the Centre send onions to Delhi?

The move comes as consumers face higher onion prices in Delhi markets. The Centre had planned to release 840 MT from its onion buffer stock, procured under the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF), to improve supplies and provide relief to consumers.

The intervention is aimed at bringing more onions into the market at a time when food prices have been under pressure.

The Delhi government has also prepared its own response if prices rise further. It plans to procure onions from NAFED and make them available at various locations across the capital, with the government bearing transportation and related costs.

Where did the missing 390 MT go?

The original plan was for 840 MT to be dispatched from Lasalgaon. However, only about 450 MT was eventually loaded.

The train had arrived at Lasalgaon railway station around 11.50 pm on August 24 and was initially expected to leave the following morning. The loading schedule was pushed back because the onions could not be packed into sacks in time.

The delay meant the stock had to undergo further grading and packing before the train could finally leave.

That leaves Delhi with 390 MT less than the quantity initially planned for the first dispatch.

Farmers question quality of onions being sent

The delay was accompanied by a separate controversy over the condition of the onions.

Prahar Janshakti Party north Maharashtra chief Ganesh Nimbalkar and other activists stopped the train for around 45 minutes, reported ANI.

There were allegations that rotten onions were being loaded instead of good-quality produce procured from farmers.

Police later intervened and detained the protesters, allowing the train to continue towards Delhi.

Will the move bring onion prices down?

The government intervention is intended to increase availability in Delhi and prevent further price pressure. The Delhi government has said onions procured through NAFED will be made available to consumers at the procurement price, while it will bear transportation and other related expenses.

Officials have also been instructed to monitor supplies reaching Delhi and prevent hoarding.

The Centre’s intervention comes against the backdrop of a rise in food inflation, with onion prices among the commodities contributing to the increase. The government has therefore turned to its buffer stock as a way of increasing market supply.

With agency inputs