In a major welfare push, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta unveiled 25 additional Atal Canteens on Thursday, bringing the network to 71 outlets citywide. Officials confirmed this expansion will ramp up daily thali servings to 71,000, all at an unbeatable price of Rs 5, targeting the city’s labor force and underprivileged.
Gupta seized the occasion to draw stark contrasts with past administrations. ‘The AAP government’s decade-plus tenure saw these Rs 5 meal projects languish in bureaucratic limbo,’ she stated. ‘Contrast that with BJP’s one-year blitz: 71 canteens up and running. That’s the difference in governance pace.’
Accompanied by LG Vinay Kumar Saxena, the CM inaugurated sites in diverse neighborhoods and even sampled the fare at Geeta Colony’s new outlet. Inspired by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and steered by PM Narendra Modi, these canteens embody a commitment to eradicate hunger. ‘They’re a badge of honor for Delhi’s builders and workers,’ Gupta noted. ‘We’re marching towards 100 canteens so every needy soul gets nutritious food with dignity for just Rs 5.’
The event saw participation from key figures like Ministers Harsh Malhotra and Ashish Sood, MLA Anil Goyal, and community leaders. It aligns seamlessly with Gupta’s fresh development package for East Delhi, featuring 236 road upgrades, drain reconstructions, and anti-flooding measures.
Posting on X, the CM declared, ‘Beyond bricks and mortar, this is about equity for trans-Yamuna zones—empowering them with top facilities and respect to lead Delhi’s progress.’ This initiative not only addresses immediate hunger but also reinforces BJP’s narrative of efficient, people-centric administration in the heart of India.