Fast food stalls or other eateries occupying footpaths are not new to the city of Kolkata. The quality of the food in that food stall is also questioned. But the municipality will check the quality of street food. This time, the modern, attractive and safe ‘food street’ will be launched in Kolkata. Three such roads will be selected as ‘Food Street’. Officials of the Kolkata Municipality are carrying out the work of identifying the place. A meeting was held in the Kolkata Municipality on what is required for infrastructure improvement there. Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh, Municipal Commissioner Vinod Kumar, Special Commissioner Somnath Dey, heads of various departments including water supply, lighting, drainage, garbage disposal were present.
According to the sources of Kolkata Municipality, this ‘Food Street’ will be created mainly with the aim of promoting tourism. The Kolkata Municipality had earlier taken the initiative to have a Singaporean style food street in Madhya Kolkata Terry Bazar. That initiative, however, remains at the planning stage. Initiatives will be taken to make this food street in four areas of the state. Where beauty will be created in keeping with the traditions of the state and Calcutta.
According to Kolkata Municipality sources, under this special project, the central government has selected 100 districts of the country to create ‘Food Street’. West Bengal got four. There will be three of them in Kolkata. A virtual food hub will be created marking the three roads of North, Central and South Kolkata. Among which Gangapar in Kolkata can get priority. Several places of the bypass have been visited. Sources of the municipality informed that they will choose a place where there is enough parking in the vicinity.
How will this food street?
Kolkata Municipal Authority wants;
★Three streets will be chosen where there are no food stalls or very few.
★ Municipalities will help in creating infrastructure for food stalls.
Kolkata Municipality will take special steps to maintain the quality of food.
★There will be constant monitoring to ensure that the environment of the food stalls is not damaged.
★ The municipality will provide enough purified drinking water to run food shops.
★ Any food from Biryani to Chowmeen, Rolls, Fried Rice, Momos etc will be available.
★Seating area will be created in front of every shop.
★ Stalls will run following hygiene rules.
★ There will be hand washing facilities. Bio-toilets if necessary.
In this project of the central government, one crore rupees has been allocated for the development of infrastructure. One crore can be obtained for arranging one road. The entire area will be decorated in such a way that it attracts people. Kolkata municipality is focusing on food street with that view.
