News Capsule: Punjab Wheat Evacuation Accelerates; Centre Allocates 100 Additional Rail Rakes to Ease Mandi Load
08-May-2026 11:00 AM
News Capsule: Punjab Wheat Evacuation Accelerates; Centre Allocates 100 Additional Rail Rakes to Ease Mandi Load
★ During the ongoing wheat procurement season in Punjab, wheat lifting from mandis has remained faster than last year despite overall arrivals being lower by around 3 lakh tonnes.
★ As of May 6, 2026, nearly 78.96 lakh tonnes of wheat had been lifted from mandis, compared to 75.63 lakh tonnes during the same period last year. Total wheat arrivals in the state stood at around 122 lakh tonnes against 125 lakh tonnes a year ago.
★ To reduce congestion and stock pressure in mandis, the Central Government has allocated 100 additional “Wheat Special” railway rakes to Punjab for May. These rakes have a combined carrying capacity of nearly 3 lakh tonnes and will transport wheat to Uttar Pradesh and southern states.
★ Out of the 354 special wheat rakes allocated across the country in May 2026, Punjab alone received 201 rakes, accounting for nearly 60% of the total allocation.
★ The government has also expanded the “Direct Delivery” system, under which wheat is transported directly from mandis to storage depots. Around 3.5 lakh tonnes were moved through this system in April, while higher movement has been planned for May and June.