Karnataka - Bangalore   

BMP looking for sites to set up food courts

By Afshan Yasmeen

BANGALORE, APRIL 27. To stop footpath vending and close down eateries functioning in unhygienic surroundings, the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) had planned to set up food courts all over the city. However, a year after the proposal was made, the BMP is still looking for sites.

In June last year, the BMP's Standing Committee on Health suggested that food courts be set up in pedestrian subways and at other places in all wards. The panel conducted surveys on the number of footpath vendors in each ward, and the area corporators were asked to identify sites for food courts.

A resolution in this regard was adopted by the committee and forwarded to the BMP Commissioner, M.R. Sreenivasa Murthy. "But the proposal is yet to be implemented as it is practically impossible for us to locate sites in every ward," sources in the BMP's Health Department said.

"As sites owned by the BMP in the city have either been given on lease or sold to private parties, it is difficult to recover the land at short notice. But if required, the BMP will not hesitate to cancel the lease agreement and set up food courts there," sources said.

"The size of a food court in a particular ward would depend on the size of the ward and the number of hawkers. Though we want to begin with food courts in the Majestic and Gandhinagar areas, it is very difficult to find land in these areas," sources said.

The Koramangala corporator, B. Mohan, who was a member of the Health Committee last year, had suggested that a food court be set up in his ward on an experimental basis. "Koramangala has over 200 pavement vendors, and a suitable site to relocate them in a food court can be easily identified there," he said.

When contacted, Mr. Sreenivasa Murthy said the BMP was on the lookout for sites. "It is not easy to find space but we are on the job and hope the proposal will materialise soon," he added.

The idea of having food courts in pedestrian subways was not feasible as it would be difficult to maintain them. "The subways have not been designed for food courts. Food courts there will cause congestion and make the place untidy," Mr. Sreenivasa Murthy said.

The BMP Deputy Commissioner (Health), V.P. Ikkeri, said the proposed food courts would have facilities such as drinking water and toilets, and proper illumination. The BMP would issue trade licences to the vendors. "The idea is to end footpath vending and improve the city," he added.

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