Foundation stone will be laid for ‘model’ food street today

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials will lay the foundation stone for their “model food street” project in VV Puram in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The ambitious project for which Rs 6 crore is earmarked seeks to transform the 209 metrelong street which stretches from Sajjan Rao Circle to Minerva Circle, into the best possible venue for foodies.

Currently, it is plagued by indiscriminate parking, constant vehicular movement disrupting pedestrian access, few user amenities, uneven footpaths and inconsistent signage. BBMP officials said that the footpaths would be widened and entry of vehicles would be prohibited on the street after 6 p.m. There are currently 39 shops on the street.

Officials added that tenders have already been called for the work and that the target is for the project to be completed in the next four months. The Palike plans on making the street pedestrian-friendly with shared streets design to provide pedestrians the right-of-way.

Designs will be based on local context and culture. The new amenities will include street furniture, common handwashing facilities and fixed standing tables, grease and oil traps for each eatery, and waste collection through fixed dustbins.

“Situated between Sajjan Rao Circle and Minerva Circle in VV Puram, this food street is lined with eateries and carts dishing out an array of delicious specialities from Karnataka as well as snacks from across the country. A place to eat, meet, and celebrate, there are over 37 food stalls in less than 200 meters. BBMP plans to transform this street with a focus on pedestrians,” an official BBMP statement said.