In a move aimed at ensuring food security for the capital’s most vulnerable, the Delhi government is preparing to launch 100 Atal Canteens across the city, providing full meals for just Rs 5 per plate. The initiative, a key promise in the BJP’s 2025 election manifesto, is expected to be inaugurated on September 17, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, according to government sources.
Fulfilling a Key Election Promise
The Atal Canteens will offer nutritious, subsidised meals near major construction sites and slum clusters, focusing on supporting daily wage workers and the urban poor who struggle with rising food costs. During the presentation of the 2025-26 Budget earlier this year, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta allocated Rs 100 crore for the establishment of these 100 canteens, signalling the administration’s commitment to social welfare and food security.
Named in honour of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the canteens aim to provide a sustainable model for affordable meals, ensuring that even the lowest-income residents have access to nutritious food. A senior official described the initiative as a “significant step toward food security for Delhi’s most vulnerable populations,” adding that preparations for the canteen setup are in advanced stages, with key locations identified to maximise reach among the urban poor.
Inspired by Successful Models in Haryana
The Atal Canteen project aligns with similar efforts by the BJP in other states. Four years ago, Haryana launched the Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteens across its agricultural mandis, offering meals of chapatis, rice, dal, and vegetables for Rs 10, benefitting farmers and labourers. Currently, around 30 of these canteens are operational in Haryana, serving as a successful model for Delhi’s upcoming rollout.
Delhi’s Atal Canteens will adopt a similar structure while tailoring the approach to the capital’s unique urban challenges, focusing on high-density areas and construction hubs where daily wage workers often struggle to find affordable, healthy meals. The official launch plan is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with government officials aiming to have the canteens operational and ready to serve thousands by September 17.
As Delhi readies for the launch, the Atal Canteens are poised to become a cornerstone in the city’s approach to addressing urban hunger, reducing the burden of food insecurity while paying tribute to the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and aligning with the broader vision of inclusive growth and welfare promised by the BJP-led administration.
