Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Inaugurates 45 Atal Canteens, Offering Nutritious Meals for Just Rs 5 Twice a Day

New Delhi | December 26, 2025 In a major step towards ensuring food security and support for the economically vulnerable, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated 45 Atal Canteens across the national capital. The event coincided with the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The canteens aim to provide nutritious meals at a nominal cost of Rs 5, served twice daily, ensuring that no one in Delhi goes hungry. The initiative is part of a larger scheme under which 100 Atal Canteens are being established across the city, with the remaining 55 expected to be operational within the next 15 to 20 days. Each canteen is designed to serve approximately 1,000 meals per day, benefitting over 1,00,000 people across Delhi. The meals will include a standardised menu of dal, rice, roti, and vegetables, weighing about 600 grams per plate and providing 700–800 calories and 20–25 grams of protein, aligning with recommended nutritional norms. Delhi’s government has allocated Rs 104.24 crore to run the scheme, with each meal priced at Rs 5 to maintain dignity for beneficiaries while the government bears the remaining Rs 25 per meal. The canteens are equipped with modern kitchens, LPG-based cooking systems, industrial RO water plants, digital token systems, CCTV surveillance, and regular audits to ensure transparency and hygiene. Additionally, food quality and raw materials will be tested by FSSAI and NABL-accredited laboratories. At the inauguration, Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, along with CM Gupta, participated in the meal service at an Atal Canteen near Apna Bazaar in Nehru Nagar, Lajpat Nagar. Gupta described the Atal Canteens as a significant step towards promoting self-reliance and respect for poor and hardworking citizens. She emphasized that the initiative reflects the ideals of service, good governance, and human sensitivity, in line with the vision of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Khattar highlighted that the scheme is not just a welfare programme but a commitment to extending dignified support to citizens at the last mile. Around 700 people will gain employment through these canteens, helping strengthen local livelihoods. Lunch will be served from 11:30 am to 2 pm, and dinner from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) selected 11 experienced agencies through a transparent tendering process to manage and operate the canteens efficiently. This large-scale initiative demonstrates the government’s focus on providing affordable, nutritious, and accessible meals while maintaining quality, hygiene, and dignity for all beneficiaries. By combining affordability, nutrition, and proper management, Atal Canteens are poised to become a landmark public service, ensuring that citizens, particularly the poor and needy, have access to wholesome meals twice a day. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Inaugurates 45 Atal Canteens, Offering Nutritious Meals for Just Rs 5 Twice a Day Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated 45 Atal Canteens across the city on Thursday, coinciding with the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The initiative aims to provide nutritious meals at just Rs 5, served twice a day, for workers, the poor, and other needy residents, ensuring that no one in the capital goes hungry. Each canteen will serve around 1,000 meals daily, benefiting over 1,00,000 people in Delhi. The menu includes dal, rice, roti, and vegetables, with each meal weighing about 600 grams and providing 700–800 calories and 20–25 grams of protein. Meals will be served during lunch from 11:30 am to 2 pm and dinner from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. The Delhi government will bear Rs 25 per meal, while the nominal Rs 5 contribution preserves the dignity of beneficiaries. The canteens are equipped with modern kitchens, LPG-based cooking systems, industrial RO water plants, digital token systems, CCTV surveillance, and regular audits. Food and raw materials will be tested by FSSAI and NABL-accredited labs to ensure quality and hygiene. Around 700 people will gain employment under this scheme, and 11 experienced agencies were selected by DUSIB to operate the canteens. During the inauguration, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and CM Gupta partook in meals at an Atal Canteen near Apna Bazaar in Nehru Nagar, Lajpat Nagar. Gupta highlighted the scheme as a step toward self-reliance and respect for poor citizens, inspired by the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Khattar said the initiative reflects service, good governance, and compassion, offering dignified support to citizens at the last mile. With these steps, Atal Canteens promise affordable, nutritious meals twice a day, combining public service, hygiene, and employment opportunities to benefit thousands of Delhi residents.