100 Atal Canteens Launched Across Delhi On Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 101st Birth Anniversary, Full Meal For Rs 5
CM Rekha Gupta said the idea is to ensure that people eat with dignity, adding that lakhs of residents would benefit from the initiative
Published : December 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM IST
|Updated : December 25, 2025 at 5:35 PM IST
New Delhi: To mark the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Delhi government launched 100 Atal Canteens, where a full meal is being made available for just Rs 5. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth centenary, and announced that "Atal Canteens" were being inaugurated to provide subsidised meals to the poor.
Speaking at the inauguration event, Chief Minister Gupta said 45 Atal Canteens were being inaugurated in line with the government's election promise, while work on the remaining 55 will be completed soon.
"Under the scheme, labourers, needy people and families living in jhuggi clusters will get a full meal for Rs 5. The idea is to ensure that people eat with dignity," she said, adding that lakhs of residents would benefit from the initiative.
Union Power Minister and Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal was among others present on the occasion. The initiative saw several Atal Canteens being inaugurated simultaneously at different locations across Delhi.
The initiative aims to ensure affordable, nutritious food for people from economically weaker sections, daily wage workers, and those who spend long hours away from home for work.
The launch was led by Union Power Minister and Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal along with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. On this special occasion, several Atal Canteens were inaugurated simultaneously at different locations across Delhi.
One of the newly launched Atal Canteens was inaugurated at the DDA Park in Sangam Vihar, South Delhi. The event was attended by South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, along with local leaders and residents. A large number of people gathered to witness the inauguration and learn about the scheme.
Sangam Vihar MLA Chandan Chaudhary said that the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ensuring that no one in the country goes hungry. He emphasized that the BJP government is committed to public welfare and service-oriented governance.
What people say
A stream of people visited Atal canteens in different parts of the national capital. The visitors said main highlight of the Atal Canteen is its well-organised system and cleanliness. Upon entering the canteen, people's names are registered, and photos are also being taken for identification purposes, to create an online database.
Ample seating arrangements have been made to ensure that the elderly and women do not face any inconvenience. A large number of people arrived to eat at the canteen opened in the Seemapuri complex. Sanjay Mishra, who came to eat at the canteen, said that he received two vegetables, rice, four rotis (flatbreads), and pickle. “The food quality is pretty good. Getting such a balanced meal at such a low price is unthinkable in a city like Delhi,” he said.
Similarly, elderly Jamuna Devi also praised the food, saying that it is delicious and nutritious. Another beneficiary, Prem Pal, appreciated the canteen's system, saying those who run it ensure a proper system. Man Singh, a resident of Sunlight Colony, said on the first day, food was being provided free of charge, while from Friday onwards, it will be available for only five rupees. Smile of satisfaction was clearly visible on the face of Ramvati, who came to eat at the canteen.
