India, Aug. 25 -- For millions of Indian households, the rising cost of onions is becoming harder to ignore just as the festive season approaches. With retail prices climbing sharply across major markets, the Centre has begun moving its reserve stock by dedicated railway rakes from Nashik to cities where consumers are paying significantly more.

The government has named the operation 'Kanda Express' and will initially send the onions to Chennai, Madurai, Delhi, Ernakulam and Guwahati. The consignments being loaded now are expected to reach the identified markets by Wednesday, August 26. The Centre plans to sell the buffer-stock onions to consumers at Rs 35 per kg through NCCF and NAFED.

The intervention comes after the all-India average ...