Published on: Dec 25, 2025

In a major welfare initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity among low-income residents, the Delhi government on Thursday launched 100 ‘Atal Canteens’ across the national capital. The scheme, which provides full meals at a highly subsidised cost of just ₹5 per plate, was inaugurated on the occasion of the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The move marks one of the flagship social programmes of the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Delhi and reflects a key promise made during the recent assembly elections.

The launch event was led by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who inaugurated around 45 Atal Canteens on the first day. According to officials, work on the remaining 55 canteens is underway and will be completed in the coming weeks. While construction at some locations has been delayed by nearly two months due to restrictions imposed under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb air pollution, the government has assured that food services will still be made operational at these centres in the interim.

A Budget-Backed Election Promise

The Atal Canteen initiative was a prominent feature of the BJP’s election manifesto for Delhi. Soon after assuming office, the government allocated ₹100 crore for the scheme in the Delhi Budget 2025–26. Following the budget announcement, an inter-departmental committee was constituted to finalise key operational details, including site selection, menu planning, food distribution mechanisms, and the overall management structure of the canteens.

According to officials, the committee worked in coordination with multiple departments to ensure that the canteens are strategically located in areas with high concentrations of daily wage workers, migrant labourers, urban poor, and people living in informal settlements. The aim is to make nutritious food easily accessible to those who are most vulnerable to rising living costs in the city.

What’s on the Menu?

At the heart of the Atal Canteen scheme is the promise of a simple, nutritious, and affordable meal. For just ₹5, beneficiaries can avail a full plate meal twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening. The menu has been designed to be familiar, filling, and balanced, keeping in mind the dietary preferences of a wide section of the population.

Each meal typically includes:

• Dal (lentils)
• Chawal (rice)
• Seasonal vegetables
• Roti (bread)

Officials said the focus is on providing wholesome, home-style food rather than processed or packaged items. The menu may vary slightly depending on availability of ingredients and seasonal factors, but the core components are expected to remain consistent across all canteens.

Each Atal Canteen is expected to serve nearly 500 meals in the morning and another 500 in the evening, ensuring that a significant number of people can benefit daily from the scheme.

Infrastructure and Technology Integration

To ensure hygiene, efficiency, and transparency, the Atal Canteens have been equipped with modern infrastructure. The kitchens use LPG-based cooking systems, industrial-grade RO water purification facilities, and cold storage units for safe food preservation. These measures are intended to maintain consistent quality and safety standards across all locations.

The initiative is being implemented under the aegis of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), which has integrated the canteens into its digital monitoring platform. Real-time oversight is enabled through CCTV cameras installed at the centres, allowing officials to monitor operations, crowd management, and food distribution remotely. This digital supervision is expected to reduce the chances of misuse and ensure accountability.

Addressing Delays and Challenges

While the rollout has been largely smooth, authorities have acknowledged delays at certain sites due to environmental restrictions under GRAP. Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood clarified earlier that although construction work has slowed at some locations, the government remains committed to ensuring that food services are not disrupted.

Temporary arrangements, including mobile kitchens or interim service setups, are being explored in areas where permanent structures are still under construction. The government has reiterated that the welfare of beneficiaries will not be compromised due to procedural or environmental constraints.

Political Messaging at the Launch

The inauguration of the Atal Canteens also became a platform for political messaging. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta used the occasion to criticise previous governments in Delhi, alleging that they had made welfare promises without releasing adequate funds for implementation. She claimed that the present BJP-led government has released funds worth ₹2,700 crore, even for projects initiated during earlier regimes, demonstrating what she described as a commitment to governance beyond political differences.

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, who was also present at the event, echoed similar sentiments. He alleged that Delhi residents had been deprived of basic facilities for nearly two decades and praised the current alignment of governments at the Centre and in the national capital. According to Khattar, this political alignment has enabled faster decision-making and smoother implementation of welfare projects.

Aiming for Social Impact

Beyond political rhetoric, the Atal Canteen scheme is being positioned as a crucial social safety net at a time when inflation and urban living costs continue to strain low-income households. For daily wage earners, rickshaw pullers, construction workers, domestic helpers, and homeless individuals, access to a ₹5 meal can significantly reduce daily expenses and improve nutritional intake.

Officials have indicated that feedback mechanisms will be put in place to assess the quality of food and the reach of the programme. Based on public response, the government may consider expanding the number of canteens or revising meal capacities in high-demand areas.

Looking Ahead

As the remaining Atal Canteens become operational, the Delhi government plans to conduct periodic audits and inspections to ensure standards are maintained. There are also discussions around involving self-help groups and local women’s collectives in food preparation and management, which could generate employment opportunities alongside the welfare objective.

The launch of 100 Atal Canteens represents a significant step in Delhi’s urban welfare landscape. Whether the initiative achieves long-term success will depend on consistent funding, effective monitoring, and the government’s ability to scale operations without compromising quality. For now, for thousands of Delhi’s residents, the promise of a hot, affordable meal twice a day has become a reality.