New Delhi, February 19 Over 14.58 lakh people, including those living in slums, migrant workers, and those in need, have availed meals at nominal prices served at Atal canteens across the capital in the past two months, Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, while inaugurating 25 new Atal canteens along with Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta proposed the creation of a fund to encourage public participation in the scheme, enabling individuals and organizations to sponsor meals on special occasions.
In the last 56 days, 48 Atal canteens have become operational in Delhi, serving an average of 26,000 people per day, Sood said, adding that the Delhi government is committed to uplifting the last person in society.
He said that since the launch of the Atal Canteen scheme on December 25, 2025, on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a total of 14,58,301 people have availed nutritious meals at Rs 5 in the past 57 days.
"Each canteen has served an average of more than 31,000 people," the minister said.
With the addition of 25 new canteens, he said that the benefit will reach over 50,000 needy individuals every day.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the government aims to increase the number of Atal canteens in the city to 100 in the coming days, which will serve one lakh meals every day.
Atal canteens serve meals at a nominal price of Rs 5 per person, with the Delhi government providing a Rs 25 subsidy per meal.
To ensure transparency and efficient functioning of the Atal canteens, a digital token system and CCTV monitoring have been introduced, the chief minister added.
The Delhi government has allocated Rs 104 crore for the operation and management of the scheme.
The canteens serve vegetarian food, including roti (bread), lentils, rice, and vegetables. Meals are served on steel plates, and the billing is fully computerized.