{
  "id": 3043100,
  "title": "Onion prices up 59%, govt ramps up 'Kanda Express' supplies to cool market",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/onion-prices-up-59-govt-ramps-up-kanda-express-supplies-to-cool-market",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-24T14:16:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times - Economy",
    "slug": "the-economic-times-economy",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/onion-prices-up-59-govt-ramps-up-kanda-express-supplies-to-cool-market/articleshow/133470425.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The price of onions has surged by 59% in India, prompting the government to ramp up efforts to alleviate the burden on consumers. Dedicated railway trains, known as the Kanda Express, have begun transporting bulk onion stocks from Nashik in Maharashtra to major cities, according to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare. The government aims to augment supplies and curb seasonal price increases by offloading these onions in five key consumption centers: Chennai, Madurai, Delhi, Ernakulam, and Guwahati. The prices for onions have climbed significantly, with retail prices reaching Rs 60/kg in Chennai (up from Rs 33/kg a year ago), Rs 55/kg in Delhi (up from Rs 35/kg), and Rs 53/kg in Kolkata (up from Rs 35/kg). The government maintains a buffer stock of 1.21 lakh tonnes of onions primarily through agencies like NAFED and the National Cooperative Wholesale Society (NCCF) to safeguard against price spikes. This buffer stock, along with the estimated 2025-26 onion production of 307.37 lakh tonnes, is expected to meet domestic demand comfortably. The government will continue monitoring prices and market conditions to ensure stable production, buffer stock availability, and targeted market interventions to moderate seasonal price pressures.",
  "summary": "The Centre has begun moving onion buffer stocks from Nashik to major consumption centres through dedicated railway rakes, or ‘Kanda Express’, to boost supplies and contain seasonal price increases.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}