Kolkata, Sep 23: Onion supplies from the government’s buffer stock are set to reach Kolkata ahead of the festive season, as the Centre steps up efforts to improve availability and contain seasonal price pressures.
The move comes at a time when onion prices have remained elevated in several parts of the country. In Kolkata, retail onion prices have recently been reported above ₹50 per kg, adding pressure on household food budgets ahead of the festive period.
The government has been releasing onions from its Price Stabilisation Fund buffer through a combination of rail and road transportation. The initiative, known as Kanda Express, is being used to move supplies to major consumption centres, while the coverage of the intervention is being expanded according to market conditions.
Buffer onions are being made available at ₹35 per kg through outlets and mobile vans operated by agencies including NCCF and NAFED, along with Kendriya Bhandar and other retail channels.
The timing of the Kolkata supply is significant as demand for essential food items generally rises during the festive and wedding season. West Bengal is also preparing for the Durga Puja period, when household consumption and market activity typically increase.
The government has said that onion availability remains adequate and that it is monitoring prices, arrivals and demand conditions across markets. The Centre has also indicated that the scale and locations of buffer-stock releases can be increased depending on market trends.
The intervention is aimed at bringing additional supplies into the market at a time when fresh crop arrivals have been affected by seasonal factors. Recent reports have noted that delayed kharif onion arrivals have contributed to tighter supplies and kept prices firm.
For consumers in Kolkata, the arrival of government-buffer onions could provide an additional source of supply ahead of the festive rush. The move is also expected to support efforts to prevent a sharp increase in the cost of an essential kitchen staple during a period when household spending normally rises.
The Centre is continuing to track onion prices and market availability across the country, with further releases planned wherever required to maintain adequate supplies and moderate seasonal price volatility.