New Delhi, 16 October (H.S.): The Central Government has dispatched an initial consignment of approximately 440 metric tonnes of onions to the northeastern region as part of efforts to improve market availability and ensure affordable prices during the festive season. The consignment, being transported through the ‘Kanda Express’ for the first time to Agartala in Tripura, is expected to reach its destination by October 18.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Friday, the government is expanding the distribution of buffer-stock onions under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) to improve availability and keep prices affordable. As part of this initiative, onions are being transported by the Kanda Express to Agartala for the first time. The consignment, carrying approximately 440 metric tonnes, is expected to arrive by October 18.

The ministry said the Kanda Express service would be introduced to strengthen onion distribution in Tripura. The initiative is expected to improve market access in seven of the state’s eight districts: Dhalai, South Tripura, Khowai, Unakoti, West Tripura, Gomati and Sepahijala.

So far, buffer-stock onions have been supplied to the Northeast through two Kanda Express railway consignments carrying 840 metric tonnes and 452 metric tonnes, respectively, as well as 44 trucks transporting a combined 1,513.46 metric tonnes.

The ministry said onions had also been distributed to key locations across Assam, Tripura and Nagaland, including Kamrup, Guwahati, Gomati, Dimapur, Sepahijala, Kohima, Niuland and Chumoukedima. It added that the arrival of fresh kharif produce had improved market availability and brought down wholesale mandi prices.

With supplies of the new kharif crop increasing, wholesale onion prices have declined in major markets. The all-India average wholesale price fell from a September peak of approximately Rs 3,600 per quintal to around Rs 3,300 per quintal in October. Retail prices have also declined across 211 cities, helping narrow regional price differences.

According to the ministry, retail onion prices fell by between Rs 1 and Rs 13 per kilogram over the past two weeks across 211 cities. The decline was recorded in major consumer states and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

The ministry further reported that retail onion prices had declined in Assam in recent weeks. Around 12 centres across the state recorded reductions ranging from Rs 1 to Rs 8 per kilogram. Assam’s current average retail price stands at Rs 54.30 per kilogram, compared with the all-India average of Rs 53.07 per kilogram, narrowing the difference to Rs 1.23 per kilogram.

The ministry said this convergence reflected a substantial reduction in regional price disparities, with retail onion prices in Assam now broadly in line with the national average.

The government will continue releasing onions from its buffer stock in response to prevailing market conditions. It is closely monitoring onion prices, market arrivals and supply levels across the country. Disposals from the Price Stabilisation Fund buffer are being undertaken based on current market conditions, price trends and availability requirements.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar