Delhi Atal Canteen Expansion: 25 New Units Open in Geeta Colony, Meals at Just 5 Rupees

The Delhi government expanded its subsidized food program on February 19, 2026, by inaugurating 25 new Atal Canteens in Geeta Colony, East Delhi. Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra were present at the event to formally open the facilities. This expansion is a major step toward ensuring food security for daily wage laborers and residents of JJ clusters across the city.

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What is on the menu and what are the timings

The Atal Canteens provide a standardized nutritious meal designed to help workers maintain their health while spending very little. Each plate is priced at 5 rupees, while the government covers the remaining cost of approximately 25 rupees per plate. The meals are prepared in centralized modern kitchens and undergo testing by FSSAI-accredited labs to maintain high hygiene standards.

• Meal Composition: A 600g plate including Dal, seasonal vegetable, rice, roti, and pickle
• Nutritional Value: Approximately 700 to 800 calories and 20 to 25 grams of protein per meal
• Lunch Timings: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Dinner Timings: 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Capacity increase and future goals

Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood stated that the daily beneficiary count has nearly doubled with this launch. The number of people served has risen from 26,000 to approximately 50,000 daily. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) is managing these units with digital monitoring systems to ensure transparency.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta mentioned that the goal is to ensure that no person in Delhi goes to sleep hungry. The project follows the Antyodaya principle of helping the most vulnerable sections of society. Every canteen is now equipped with CCTV and a digital token system to prevent food wastage and maintain a record of beneficiaries.