Bodh Gaya, Patna among 20 cities of the country to have food streets

Bodh Gaya, Patna among 20 cities of the country to have food streets


New Delhi, June 15 : All major cities in India will soon be dotted with food streets––on the lines of those in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Shanghai––offering traditional cuisine to both domestic and overseas visitors in a clean and agreeable environment.

“Every major city will have food streets. Total hygiene will be maintained. It will not only boost tourism, but also generate jobs for the local population,” Minister of Food Processing Industries Subodh Kant Sahay said on Wednesday.

“Apart from the outlets for Indian traditional dishes, the food street will certainly offer foreign dishes too. Food streets will be world-class in all aspects,” said Sahay.

The ministry has already sent the proposal to the cabinet for approval. “The cabinet approval is expected any day now. The legwork is already on,” Sahay told IANS on the sidelines of a conference on food safety and quality management held here.

Some of the key cities which are favourites of tourists, identified for developing food streets, are Delhi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Agra, Udaipur, Bangalore, Bodh Gaya, Chennai and Patna.

“In the first phase, at least 20 such cities will be identified for food streets. For example, Chandni Chowk in Delhi has all the potential to become the national capital’s food street. Such places will be identified in every big city to be developed as a food street,” Sahay said.

The ministry proposes to invest Rs.50 million in developing every food street, and expects similar participation from the private players, local bodies and the state governments.

“The food streets will be developed with active participation of local bodies, state governments, and private players. The ministry will play the role of a facilitator, and will offer financial assistance as well,” Rajeshwar Rao, joint secretary, ministry of food processing industries, told IANS.

“The ministry will organise training programmes for the vendors to maintain high level of hygiene, quality, and hospitality in every food street. Our food streets will meet global benchmarks,” Rao said.