In a significant move to address food insecurity in the national capital, the Delhi government has launched the Atal Canteen Scheme. The initiative, which promises nutritious meals at a highly subsidized rate of just five rupees, was inaugurated on the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Inauguration and Scale of the Scheme
The scheme was officially launched at an Atal canteen located near Apna Bazaar in Nehru Nagar, Lajpat Nagar. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood. During the event, a major expansion plan was announced. The government plans to increase the total number of Atal canteens from the current 45 to 100 within the next 15 to 20 days, significantly widening the project's reach.
Strategic Locations and Meal Details
The 45 canteens have been strategically established in areas with high concentrations of low-income residents to maximize impact. These locations include industrial zones, JJ clusters (slum settlements), migrant relief camps, and densely populated neighborhoods across Delhi.
The canteens will operate on a fixed schedule, serving lunch from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM and dinner from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Each standard meal, weighing 600 grams, is designed to be both wholesome and filling. The plate will consist of roti, dal, seasonal vegetables, rice, and pickle. This combination is estimated to deliver between 700 to 800 calories and 20 to 25 grams of protein per meal, addressing basic nutritional requirements.
Financial Commitment and Expected Impact
The Delhi government has demonstrated substantial commitment to this welfare project by allocating a budget of Rs 104.24 crore. Officials estimate that each canteen will serve approximately 1,000 meals every day. When fully operational across all 45 initial locations, the scheme is projected to benefit over one lakh (100,000) people daily, providing a reliable source of affordable nutrition for the city's most vulnerable populations.
The launch of the Atal Canteen Scheme marks a concrete step towards recognizing access to healthy food as a fundamental right, directly tackling the challenge of hunger and malnutrition amidst the bustling metropolitan life of Delhi.
