Planned ‘food streets’ face hurdles even before construction has started

The Municipal Corporation (MC) is struggling to find ways to make Night Food Street operational, while there are other ‘food streets’ proposed by the civic body that are in the pipeline. The pilot project is in turmoil while the proposed food streets are facing roadblocks even before construction has started. The civic body had proposed a food street in Sector 48, for which the foundation was laid last year and work is yet to be started. While another was proposed during former Mayor Kamlesh’s tenure in Industrial Area, the site could not be finalised at that time and the project has made no headway. The proposed food streets, once made, would be functional during the day.

The proposal for the new Food Streets was mooted after seeing the success that Night Food Street enjoyed during the first year of its inauguration. However, over the last year the project has faced many hindrances. An amount of Rs 25 lakh has been approved for the Food Street in Sector 48. The foundation stone was laid last year.

However, tenders were called thrice and no response was received. Recently the tender was called again but the allotment is awaited. Says area councillor Jatinder Bhatia, “A food street was proposed in Sector 48 as there was no such facility in the southern sectors. It has been almost a year since the foundation stone was laid. Construction is yet to start. Keeping in view the problems being faced by Night Food Street, care would be taken to ensure that strict hygiene standards are maintained by the contractors. We would ensure that regular checks are conducted from the start so that the condition does not deteriorate.” 

Night Food Street was started with the concept of providing affordable food to attendants of patients coming to PGI as well as students. In the first year, the kiosks were allotted through bids. Different kiosks were allotted for different kinds of food. Night Food Street had received a favourable response from the people but gradually a number of brawls were reported in the area.

Thereafter, it was decided that the new food streets that would be started would be functional during daytime. Earlier this year, auctions were held for the kiosks. It was decided that contractors can sell any kind of food items.

The civic body earned crores of rupees as revenue from the auctions. However, the kiosk owners started defaulting on payment of rent. Also, lack of regular checks ensured that unhygienic conditions started prevailing.

While the civic body had to revert to the system of allotments through bids, the problems persisted. “The concept with which Night Food Street was started has simply been forgotten. There is no clarity,” pointed out Councillor Harjinder Kaur. “The aim was to meet the requirements of the common man. Healthy and pure food should be provided at an affordable price. Government agencies or NGOs could be roped in. The new food streets should not simply be a commercial ventures but reflect the city’s culture.”