Atal Canteens in Delhi to Offer Meals at ₹5
In her first Independence Day address as Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta announced the launch of Atal Canteens across the city, where workers and vulnerable populations will receive a full meal for just ₹5.
Affordable Meal Scheme
The initiative plans to set up around 100 canteens, prioritizing locations in slum clusters and construction zones. The goal is to ensure daily-wage labourers and low-income residents get nutritious meals at a heavily subsidized price.
Funding and Inspiration
The Delhi government allocated ₹100 crore in its 2025–26 budget to support the scheme. The model is inspired by successful efforts such as Tamil Nadu’s “Amma Canteens,” known for their low-cost meals and high accessibility.
Broader Welfare Agenda
Alongside Atal Canteens, CM Gupta also pledged to provide pucca housing for every slum dweller, form a welfare board for gig workers, and launch a campaign to rejuvenate the Yamuna River. These are part of a broader push to uplift Delhi’s most vulnerable communities.
Timeline and Implementation
Officials plan to roll out the first batch of canteens by December, aligning some openings with the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday. New Delhi constituencies will each receive at least one canteen as part of this effort.
