Delhi opens 25 Atal Canteens, taking network to 100

Former vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated 25 Atal Canteens at Vishwavidyalaya Metro station on Sunday, taking Delhi’s network to 100 outlets.

The canteens offer meals for Rs 5. The Delhi government says the network can serve about one lakh people a day, including labourers, students and families. Gupta said the outlet near Delhi University would be useful for students living in hostels and paying-guest accommodation.

The new outlets are in areas including Janakpuri, Vikaspuri, Mangolpuri, Rohini, R K Puram, AIIMS, Matia Mahal, Model Town, Seemapuri, Anand Vihar, Timarpur, Narela and Shalimar Bagh. Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra inaugurated an outlet at Anand Vihar bus stand.

Naidu, Gupta, North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari and minister Ashish Sood ate at the Vishwavidyalaya canteen and inspected its food and operations. Since the scheme began on December 25, the Delhi government says it has served nearly 95 lakh meals. The government says the 100 canteens are planned to operate through the year, with an annual capacity of nearly 3.65 crore meals.