City gets its 1st plastic-free street food hub on Russel St

Time of India

2 days ago

Kolkata: The first civic street food hub in the city rolled up its shutters on Russel Street Wednesday, offering a hygienic and plastic-free experience to customers. On the offer were bhelpuri, chaat, phuchka, paratha, sweets, kachori, chow mein, momo, tea and ice cream among others.
Thirty-two food hawkers, who were evicted from roads last year, turned authorised vendors as KMC handed over licences to them at the inaugural programme. Mayor Firhad Hakim unveiled the hub, and the event was attended by deputy mayor Atin Ghosh, MMiC Debasish Kumar, CMOH of KMC Ranita Sengupta and civic food safety and FSSAI officials.
Once the place gains popularity, the sellers will also start serving breakfast.
A KMC official pointed out that they planned to model the food hubs—two others will be unveiled in Patuli and Tala Jheel Park—on Bangkok street food joints. Jodd Fair Market, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Srinakarin Train Market and Silom are some of the street food joints in Bangkok, which are popular among tourists and locals alike for their hygiene and affordability.
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In 2023, the Union health ministry, in collaboration with the ministry of housing and urban affairs, had urged states to develop 100 food streets in the country to promote hygienic and safe food practices.
Municipal corporations of different states were asked to implement the project under the National Health Mission. KMC took up the project with financial assistance from the Centre.
KMC food safety officers will check the quality of the food at the Russel Street stalls. "We have asked vendors to use spices and oils with FSSAI stamps. If any vendor is found flouting, stern action will be taken," said deputy mayor Ghosh.
Vendors will be given uniforms, including t-shirts, aprons and caps, which they will have to wear while serving food to people.
The vendors were visibly elated at the development. Though they were yet to get an electricity connection, many had started cooking on stoves at their new stalls. A civic official said, "The sellers got their vending licences on Wednesday. They will now apply for their power connection."
Chhotelal Shah (43), a fruit seller, grew up seeing his father selling fruits on the Russel Street pavement.
"My father had been selling fruits here since he was seven. Now, I am a legal vendor, I've got my KMC documents," he said. Another vendor, Ganesh Roy, said, "I will sell paratha. I'll use a gas oven till I get power connection. After that, I will use induction cooker."
MMiC Kumar said, "We are calling the rehabilitated hawkers food business operators. Up next are food hubs in Patuli and Tala Jheel Park. Both are ready, we will finalise the opening dates soon. This is a plastic-free hub, and vendors have been asked to use paper or metal plates."