Indira Canteen: Affordable meal; hygiene concerns remain

Bengaluru,

The Indira Canteen scheme is a government-subsidised food programme aimed at providing nutritious, hygienic and affordable meals to citizens at nominal prices. Revived in 2017, the initiative continues to serve thousands of people every day through more than 190 canteens spread across Bengaluru. To assess the quality of food, hygiene standards and overall maintenance of the facility, News Trail visited the Indira Canteen in Ward No. 94, Gandhinagar, located near the Kempegowda Metro Station in Majestic, during the peak lunch hour on Tuesday.

At first glance, the canteen premises appeared clean and well-maintained, creating a welcoming environment for visitors. Maintaining high standards of cleanliness is particularly important at this location, given the heavy footfall it receives daily due to its proximity to major transit hubs, including the Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) Majestic Bus Terminal and the Majestic Metro Station. As part of the review, News Trail correspondents sampled the lunch served at the canteen.

They opted for a combination of rice with sambar and curd rice to evaluate the food’s quality, taste and overall dining experience. “The quantity and quality of the food were satisfactory, and it met basic hygiene standards,” observed the NT correspondent. However, NT found that staff serving food were not adhering to certain essential food safety practices, such as wearing gloves, hairnets and masks. These measures are important in preventing contaminants from hands, clothing or hair from coming into contact with food.

“The food they provide is really good, and there is not much that needs to be changed,” said Ananda, a labourer from Bagalkot. Another consumer, Prem from Andhra Pradesh, said the food quality was good but suggested replacing ragi mudde, which is offered as part of one of the meal options, with an alternative item. Prem also raised concerns about the behaviour of some staff members. “The employees do not speak properly to people who come here to eat. They often speak rudely,” he said.

Although Indira Canteens are open to all citizens regardless of their socio-economic back ground – from daily wage labourers to healthcare workers – many people remain hesitant to avail themselves of the service due to concerns about food hygiene and the unusually low prices. NT also noted the presence of a marshal officer at the canteen, who was responsible for maintaining order and ensuring the safety of visitors. After completing their meal, NT correspondents observed that one of the water dispensers within the canteen premises was non-functional.

“This has been closed since the Covid period,” said Sairam (name changed), a canteen marshal. Although the indoor dining area was clean and well-maintained, the hand washing basin requires significant improvement in terms of hygiene and cleanliness. It contained a considerable amount of food residue and would benefit from a thorough deep clean to ensure proper sanitation standards are maintained.

“I came here in the morning as well, and have been eating here for the past two days. They provide a meal for just Rs 10. Sometimes the food lacks enough salt, and we have to add extra ourselves, but it is still good for us because this is one of the few places where people like us can afford to eat outside,” said Mahadeva, expressing gratitude for the affordable meals provided under the Indira Canteen scheme, highlighting how such programmes continue to support ordinary people.