The ₹5 Revolution: Atal Canteens Serve Dignity, Not Just Dal

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In a bold step towards food security and social justice, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board has constituted a nine-member committee to prepare the operational road map for 100 Atal Canteens in the city. Subsidy-fed food stalls will provide healthy food at reasonable rates to the people living in slum clusters and construction sites—fulfilling a key poll promise and marking the centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Planning Highlights

The committee consists of DUSIB directors, senior administrators, and engineers who are responsible for designing a workable and sustainable implementation plan.

Their responsibility is stakeholder consultations, intra-departmental coordination, and site visits to assess feasibility.

The scheme is being financed with the ₹100 crore provision in the 2025-26 Delhi Budget.

Mission Objectives

Affordable Nutrition

All Atal Canteens shall offer clean food at a highly subsidized rate—heretofore regarded at ₹5 per plate.

The focus is on accessibility for urban poor, slum residents, and wage earners.

Strategic Locations

There were to be canteens set up near highly populated slum areas and building sites to cover most people.

Sample points will be selected based on population densities, pedestrian flow, and accessibility to public transport.

Tech-Enabled Kitchens

Proposals include installing automated chapati-making machines that can produce 1,200 rotis per hour.

These machines will perform tasks automatically and provide consistency in food quality.

Execution Framework

The committee should submit an in-depth report detailing logistics, vendor arrangements, staff, and monitoring provisions.

Emphasis will be especially placed on hygiene levels, transparency, and public comment mechanisms.

The project will be executed in phases, and the first installment of canteens will be completed by December 25.

Political and Social Context

The initiative is a part of Delhi government's larger quest for inclusive development and urban well-being. It is also a symbolic tribute to the people-centric leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

There are already such canteens in BJP-governed Haryana, and Delhi can take a tested model.

Conclusion The Atal Canteen project is not just a meal, it is a declaration of intent. With a clear charted course, dedicated leadership, and a clear social purpose, Delhi is ready to dish out not only food, but also dignity on a plate.

Sources The Print, Hindustan Times, Times of India, ABP Live, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB)