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.
