Providing affordable and nutritious food to the needy is a commendable step by the government: Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu
Atal Canteen is dedicated to revered Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji’s spirit of Antyodaya and ideals of public service: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
Atal Canteen will also provide nutritious food to university students: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta
Atal Canteen represents a resolve to honor the hardworking hands building Delhi: Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood
New Delhi, August 2026 : Dedicated to the spirit of public service, Antyodaya, and reaching the last person in society championed by the revered former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji, the 'Atal Canteen' scheme achieved a major milestone on Sunday. Launched on December 25, 2025, on the occasion of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 100th birth anniversary, the Delhi government fulfilled its target of establishing 100 Atal Canteens in eight months. On August 16, 2026, marking his death anniversary, former Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated 25 new Atal Canteens from the Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station in the presence of Chief Minister Mrs. Rekha Gupta, MP Shri Manoj Tiwari, Delhi Government Cabinet Minister Shri Ashish Sood, and other dignitaries. According to the Chief Minister, these canteens will now also offer nutritious meals to university students.
Public representatives, including MLA Shri Surya Prakash Khatri, along with senior officials and staff from the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), were present at the event. On this occasion, all guests dined at the Atal Canteen and personally inspected the quality of food and operational arrangements provided under the scheme.
Atal Canteen an Example of Sensitivity and Spirit of Service: Venkaiah Naidu
Speaking on the occasion, former Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu stated that launching 100 Atal Canteens in Delhi is a highly commendable initiative. Its goal is to provide affordable and nutritious food to the poor, slum dwellers, laborers, and people arriving in Delhi from various parts of the country in search of employment. He emphasized that this is no ordinary scheme, but a true example of sensitivity and service toward the most vulnerable sections of society. He added that embodying the principle of 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah' (May all be happy, may all be free from illness), the Delhi government took the important decision to establish 100 Atal Canteens, a resolve that stands fulfilled today. He extended special congratulations to Chief Minister Mrs. Rekha Gupta and the Delhi government for completing the scheme on the death anniversary of revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji.
University Students to Get Nutritious Food
At the event, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that achieving the target of 100 Atal Canteens is a major milestone for the Delhi government. This initiative is a meaningful tribute dedicated to the spirit of Antyodaya and the ideals of public service upheld by revered Shri Atal Ji. Atal Ji’s life was devoted to the welfare of the person standing at the last mile of society and to the service of the nation. Carrying forward those very values, the Delhi government is striving to ensure that no needy person is deprived of respectful and nutritious food. She noted that a canteen has also been opened today near the Delhi University Metro Station. In this university area, students live away from their families in hostels and PG accommodations; now, needy students can access nutritious and affordable food at this canteen. Addressing the students, she assured them not to worry, emphasizing that the government stands with them and that the Atal Canteen will work to ensure their hunger is satisfied.
The Chief Minister added that the Delhi government's goal is to ensure that no individual sleeps hungry in the nation's capital. She made a special mention of migrant laborers, noting that Delhi's industries, commerce, shops, construction activities, and countless families function due to the hard work of these brothers and sisters. Thus, it is the government's responsibility to act with sensitivity and respect toward them. Schemes like Atal Canteen are the medium to bring the government's compassion and spirit of service to the ground. Referencing the commitment to 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Maken' (Housing where slums exist), the Chief Minister pointed out that previously only slums established before 2015 were recognized, whereas now the government has taken steps toward identifying and providing housing to slums constructed before January 1, 2025.
Caring for the Food and Dignity of the Poor is the Government’s Duty
Delhi Government Urban Development Minister Shri Ashish Sood stated that Atal Canteen is not merely a scheme to supply low-cost meals, but a solemn pledge to honor the hardworking hands that build Delhi. Behind the daily movement of Delhi's roads, metro, markets, large complexes, and households lies the toil of lakhs of laborers. Therefore, looking after their food and dignity is the government’s duty. Under the guidance of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and the leadership of Chief Minister Mrs. Rekha Gupta Ji, the Delhi government is advancing the Atal Canteen scheme in this very spirit. He added that the Delhi government is progressing with the resolve of 'From Antyodaya to Developed India, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas', and schemes like Atal Canteen translate this compassionate and public-welfare vision into reality on the ground. Shri Sood emphasized that while alleviating hunger for the poor and needy is vital, ensuring a permanent roof over their heads is equally crucial. He stated that the Central and Delhi governments are jointly taking historic steps toward the rehabilitation of Delhi's JJ clusters, which will benefit approximately four lakh families.
100 Canteens to Feed One Lakh People Daily
The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) launched the Atal Canteen initiative on December 25, 2025, on the birth anniversary of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. Thereafter, canteens were rolled out consistently within set timelines, reaching the target of 100 today with the inauguration of 25 new canteens. To date, approximately 95 lakh subsidized meals have been served to the public through the Atal Canteen scheme. Meals are being provided to beneficiaries through these canteens every day without any holiday. Nutritious food is served at these canteens for just Rs 5. Currently, around 1 lakh people daily will be served meals through these 100 Atal Canteens. These canteens possess the capacity to supply nearly 3.65 crore meals (thalis) annually. The Delhi government had promised the citizens of Delhi in its assembly election manifesto to set up 100 Atal Canteens. Fulfilling this commitment in a time-bound manner, the government dedicated all 100 Atal Canteens to the service of Delhi residents within just eight months.
New Atal Canteens: Food to Reach the Needy Across Various Areas
The 25 new Atal Canteens include locations at: Pankha Road near Uttam Nagar East Metro Station in Janakpuri; Indira Camp No. 5 Part-2 at MCD Park, Rajiv Gandhi Camp, and T-Camp Hastsal in Vikaspuri; Phase-1 and Phase-2 of Sawda Ghevra SRS Colony in Mundka; S-Block near Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Mangolpuri and Jaipur Golden Hospital in Rohini Sector-3; Moti Bagh in R.K. Puram; opposite AIIMS in New Delhi; LNJP Hospital in Matia Mahal; Community Center at Sangam Park, RP Bagh in Model Town; Veer Savarkar MCD Hospital in East Karawal Nagar, Mustafabad; Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences in Seemapuri; near Anand Vihar Railway Station at Vivek Vihar in Vishwas Nagar; Gate No. 3 of Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station in Timarpur and Munshi Ram JJ Cluster in Mukherjee Nagar; Guru Teg Bahadur Colony in Sector-16, Amar Jyoti Colony in Sector-17, and LAL Flats in Rohini Sector-4 Extension in Rithala; Ginger Market at Azadpur Mandi and Chaudhary Hira Singh Park at APMC in Adarsh Nagar; SRS Colony at Tikri Khurd and SRS Colony at Holambi Khurd in Narela; Community Hall at SRS Colony in Rohini Sector-26; and Ayurvedic Camp at Sheesh Mahal Park in Shalimar Bagh.
