Revival of night food street tops agenda of MC panel meet today

As per the proposal,instead of eight kiosks that were originally built,there would be four kiosks. The area of two kiosks would be merged to make it one. The small size of the kiosks was one of the complaints of the kiosk owners. Instead of Rs 20,000 per kiosk as the rent that was proposed earlier,the rent proposed now is Rs 30,000.

F&CC member Rajesh Gupta maintains the wrong policies of the Municipal Corporation led to the failure of the Night Food Street. “There is a need for coming up with corrective measures. The aim of the food street was to provide a hygienic place for those selling paranthas on the roadside. This was never fulfilled as the high rentals proved to be a deterrent,” he said.

The Night Food Street was inaugurated in 2008 essentially with the aim of providing food at reasonable rates to attendants of patients coming to PGIMER as well as the students at Panjab University. While it worked well for some time,a decision was taken a year later to auction the kiosks instead of charging a fixed rent. While the auction prices went very high,the kiosk owners found themselves unable to pay the high rent. Defaulting on rent,most of them started giving up the kiosks. The conditions became unhygienic. Incidents of brawls were also reported,raising questions over security.

Subhash Chawla,another F&CC member,asserts that there is a need for providing a variety of food items and beverages that people prefer and are affordable. “Food items like dosas and paranthas should be provided. The food should be sold in hygienic conditions,” he said.