Introduction The Delhi Government launched the Atal Canteen Scheme on 25 December 2025 to provide affordable and nutritious meals to people struggling with daily food expenses. The government introduced this welfare initiative on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, keeping social service and dignity at its core. This scheme primarily focuses on residents living in slum areas and JJ clusters across Delhi, where access to healthy food often remains limited due to financial hardship. Through the Atal Canteen Scheme, the government aims to reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and ensure that no resident of Delhi goes to bed hungry. Under this initiative, the Delhi Government plans to set up 100 Atal Canteens across the city. On the launch day itself, 45 canteens became operational, while the remaining canteens will open in phases. Each canteen serves a complete, wholesome meal at a highly subsidised price of Rs. 5 per plate. The government has allocated Rs. 100 crore to ensure smooth implementation, food quality, and proper monitoring of the scheme. Benefits The Atal Canteen Scheme offers several direct benefits to economically weaker communities in Delhi :- Nutritious and freshly prepared meals at just Rs. 5 per plate. Easy access to affordable food for residents of slums and JJ clusters. Fixed meal timings every day for better availability. Lunch service from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Dinner service from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Distribution of 500 plates during lunch and 500 plates during dinner at each canteen daily. Each meal typically includes roti, rice, vegetable curry, and pickle, ensuring basic nutritional needs. Eligibility The scheme keeps eligibility simple to ensure maximum outreach :- Only residents of Delhi can avail meals from Atal Canteens. Beneficiaries must belong to slum areas (Jhuggi-Jhopdi) or JJ clusters within Delhi. Any person in need who meets these conditions can avail the facility. There are no income proofs or formal verification barriers at the point of service. Documents No documents are required to receive meals under the Atal Canteen Scheme. Beneficiaries can directly walk in and purchase food without paperwork. Process to Apply The Atal Canteen Scheme does not require any application process. Eligible individuals can simply visit their nearest Atal Canteen during operating hours. After reaching the canteen, visitors need to purchase a QR-based token from the counter by paying Rs. 5. Once they receive the token, they can collect the food plate from the serving counter and enjoy a nutritious meal. Currently, 45 Atal Canteens are functional across Delhi, and the government will open 55 more canteens in the coming days to expand coverage. For any clarification, support, or interest in operating an Atal Canteen, individuals or organisations can contact the Department of Urban Development, Government of Delhi. List of Atal Canteen in Delhi As per the implementation updates shared during the launch phase, the Delhi Government has operationalised 45 Atal Canteens across different parts of the city. These canteens are mainly located in slum areas, JJ clusters, and high-density residential zones to ensure easy access for people in need. Below is the list of locations where Atal Canteens have started functioning :- CS Plot, B-Block, Holambi Kalan. JJ Cluster, Anna Nagar. Vacant land at Sector-3, Phase-I, Dwarka. Shaheed Bhagat Singh Camp, Paschim Puri. Near Mohalla Clinic, AB Block, Kela Godown Road, Shalimar Bagh. DDA Flats, Kalkaji. Vacant land opposite Community Hall, Sunlight Colony, Old Seemapuri. Bhanwar Singh Camp, Vasant Vihar. Shishu Vatika, Chunna Bhatti, Kirti Nagar. G-Block Cluster, Jahangirpuri, Azadpur (Delhi-110033). Vacant parking land at F Extension, near GGS Hospital, Khyala. Pratap Camp, Nehru Nagar. Vacant land at Goyla Dairy. R Block JJ Cluster, Raghubir Nagar. Indira Camp, Malviya Nagar. CS Land, A-Block, SRS Bawana. Sheikh Sarai, Apeejay School Road. JJ Cluster, Sanjay Basti, Timarpur. Vacant plot near Veterinary Hospital, Sector-1, Dwarka. Shanti Camp, Chhatarpur. Property No. 3594–3608/XII, opposite Shopping Complex, Katra Meena Beg, Malk Ganj, Timarpur. Land near BVK, G-Block, Mangolpuri. N-Block, Mangolpuri. B-Block, Budh Nagar, Inderpuri. Sanjay Camp. JJ Cluster, Rani Garden (near BVK). Near C-35 JJ Cluster, Wazirpur Industrial Area. Vacant land between JJ Cluster Shyam Nagar and Shikhri Bhatta. Jai Vihar, Phase-I. DDA Park, Sangam Vihar (near Police Station). Ekta Vihar, Sector-6. Indira Camp No. 3, JJ Cluster. Balmiki Camp, Begum Pur. Vacant land, Pocket-11, Sector A-6, Narela (HUDCO). Nordan Camp, S.P. Crusher, M.B. Road. C-Block, Shahbad Daulatpur (Dairy Area). Rajeev Camp, Krishna Market, Jhilmil Colony. Shivaji Park, Naraina Industrial Area. Near B1 & K Block JJ Cluster, opposite B-Block Community Hall. E-Block, Punjab Migrant Relief Camp, Peeragarhi. JJ Cluster, Indira Camp No. 3. GP Block, Pitampura. Sanjay Colony, Bhati Mines. C-Block, Nand Nagri, Shahdara. Near Lal Bagh, Jhuggi Basti, Sri Ram Nagar, Shahdara. Note: These locations are based on initial implementation details shared by the Department of Urban Development, Government of Delhi. The government may add, relocate, or update canteen locations from time to time. Important Links Delhi Department of Urban Development (Official Website) :- https://udd.delhi.gov.in/ Contact Department of Urban Development, Government of Delhi :- Phone: 011-23392253 Email: psud@nic.in