Roti, dal and more — for just Rs 5: Atal Canteens open in Delhi, here’s what’s on the menu

The canteens will provide meals at a subsidised rate of Rs 5. Each canteen will serve meals twice a day — lunch from 11:30 am to 2 pm, and dinner from 6:30 pm to 9 pm.

Speaking at the event, Gupta said lakhs of people would benefit from the initiative. “Under the scheme, labourers, needy people and families living in jhuggi clusters will get a full meal for Rs 5. The idea is to ensure that people eat with dignity.”

Gupta said the ₹5 meal scheme will help lakhs, offering full meals to labourers and jhuggi residents “with dignity.” (Express Photo)

Union Minister Manohar Lal said, “The Atal Canteens launched across Delhi on the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a historic initiative inspired by the ideals of service, good governance and human sensitivity. This scheme is not merely a welfare programme, but a strong commitment to extending dignified support to citizens at the last mile. By providing nutritious meals for Rs 5, the spirit of public service is being strengthened.”

Notably, the initiative was a key promise in the BJP’s Delhi election manifesto.

Shambu, who arrived at 6.30 pm, was then directed by the staff to the counter where a monitor with an external camera was fixed for taking pictures. The staff then asked for his name and number, clicked a picture and generated a coupon. The information, according to the staff, gets updated on the DUSIB portal.

“This is to ensure that the operations run smoothly and that nobody goes back without food,” says Mukesh Sharma, the owner of the catering service, adding that the food is prepared in a nearby kitchen and transported to the canteen in hot containers. Asked as to how the food quality will be maintained, Sharma said DUSIB will ensure regular inspections.

Soon the queue at the counter grew long, and longer within an hour. While many occupied three dining tables in the centre, some stood and ate.

Within an hour, queues stretched and tables filled up, leaving many standing to eat. (Express Photo)

Ramkali (50), who is employed as a cleaning staff at kothis, said soon after she returned home from work in the evening, her mother asked her to come along. “Unhone kaha ki ek hotel khula hai pass main, aur bahut accha khaana mil raha hai, chalo. Isiliye main aagayi. Sahi mein bahut accha hai. (She said a hotel has opened in the area and the food is really good, so I came. The food is actually good),” said Ramkali who also brought along children from her neighbourhood.

According to Ajay Mandal (42), who works as a sanitation worker in the city while his family stays in Bihar’s Purnia, this service will make sure he gets food even on days he has no money due to unavailability of work.

Like Ramkali and Mandal, many, including cab drivers, construction workers, labourers, visited the canteen after finishing the day’s work.