Train with 850 Tonnes of Onions Arrives at Korukkupet for Fair Price Shops

A goods train carrying 850 tonnes of onions from Nashik arrived at the Korukkupet Railway Goods Shed on Monday as part of a State government initiative to bring down onion prices in the open market.

The A-grade onions will be distributed and sold through fair price shops across 21 districts in Tamil Nadu. The stock is likely to be made available to consumers at a subsidised rate of ₹35 per kg.

The procurement was carried out by the State government utilising its price stabilisation fund, following instructions issued by the Chief Secretary during a review meeting. The onions were sourced through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) under directives from the Government of India.

From the consignment received at Korukkupet, 75 tonnes each will be allocated to Chennai and Tiruchi, while Coimbatore will receive 100 tonnes. The remaining stock will be dispatched to other designated districts across the State.

According to NAFED sources, another rail consignment of onions is expected to arrive shortly, while additional quantities are being moved by road to maintain steady supplies.

The Registrar of Cooperative Societies has directed the Tamil Nadu Consumers’ Cooperative Federation to coordinate the logistics and ensure that consumers receive the subsidised onions through fair price outlets without delay.

Alongside the market intervention for onions, State government authorities are also monitoring sugar prices to prevent volatility in the open market.