Preparation for 52 new Indira Canteens

•  175; Indira Canteens under BBMP
• 52; New Indira Canteens to be constructed
• ₹24.96 crore; Construction cost of new Indira Canteens
• 816 sq ft; Area of ​​each Indira Canteen

Announced in the state budget for 2023-24: Target to construct in three months in precast modem

Preparation for 52 new Indira Canteens

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

Bengaluru: The project to establish Indira Canteens in every ward under BBMP has been launched, and 52 new Indira Canteens are likely to start by April.

‘Indira Canteens will be started in all wards with the aim that quality food should be available to everyone and that the hungry should not go hungry,’ Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced in the budget for 2023-24. On June 12, 2023, a meeting of officials was held and it was also suggested that ‘a new canteen should be started immediately and a new menu (foods) should be introduced’. However, no process was taken in this regard for a year and a half.

The BBMP, which had called for tenders on December 17, 2024, intends to build 52 Indira Canteens in the ‘precast model’. The tender process will end on January 8, and if everything goes according to plan, the work order will be issued by the end of January. From then on, it is planned to complete the construction of the canteen within three months.

The Indira Canteen is being built under the ‘lumpsum turnkey’ project, and the work has to be completed within the final cost in the tender. The contractors have to hand over the canteen to the BBMP within 12 months.

Bill with picture: ‘It has been decided to implement a system of issuing ‘bill with picture’ to prevent misuse of food sales in Indira Canteens. Processes are underway in this regard, tenders will be invited and the system will be implemented,’ said the health department officials.

‘Marshals have been appointed to maintain food quality and ensure that food sales are not misused. In addition, if the ‘bill with picture’ system is implemented, it will be more transparent. The number of foods sold will also be accurate,’ he said.

New menu soon!

The government had decided in 2023 that Ragi Mudde, Chapati, Anna Sambar, Idli, Mangalore Buns, Bisibele Bath, Pulao, Bread Jam, Chow Chow Bath should be served in Indira Canteens and had also given its consent. However, the ‘new food menu’ has not been implemented yet.

‘The 19 kitchens that supply food to Indira Canteens are not able to prepare food as per the new menu. Hence, they need to be upgraded. After this work is completed, the contractors will supply food as per the new menu,’ said BBMP Health Department officials.

‘Food is being served as per the new menu in some Indira Canteens. The rest will be supplied soon,’ said BBMP Health Department Special Commissioner Suralkar Vikas Kishore.

Unfulfilled quality promise!

‘Health officials should visit Indira Canteens and submit a report on their condition and functioning. Immediate action should be taken if repairs are required. Food quality should be maintained. The prescribed menu should be strictly followed. There should be no compromise on cleanliness, quality and quantity. Ministers and MLAs should be invited for breakfast. It would be beneficial to maintain the quality if they consume food frequently,’ the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Commissioner had suggested in June 2023. However, citizens often complain that these processes are not being followed. Quality and cleanliness are not being maintained.

New Indira canteen in which assembly constituency?

Bangalore South Assembly Constituency: Kalena Agrahara Main Road; Behind Rajatadri Building, Subrahmanyapura; Yelachenahalli Park; Singhasandra Government Hospital, Naganathpur; Brigade Millennium Building, RBI Layout.

Bommanahalli Assembly Constituency: Primary Health Centre, Hongasandra; Ganapathi Temple, AECS Layout, New Road; Anjaneya Temple, Kodichikkanahalli; Rangraj School Grounds, Jarganahalli.

Dasarahalli Assembly Constituency: Railway Station, AGP Layout, Chikkasandra; Grilahakshmi Layout, Nelagadaranahalli; Sunkadakatte Market Park.

C.V. Raman Assembly Constituency: CVR Hospital Precinct, Mitchell Palya, Hoysalanagar.

Shivajinagar Assembly Constituency: BBMP Head Office, Sampangiramanagar; Bowring Hospital, Lady Curzon Road.

Shantinagar Assembly Constituency: Joint Commissioner's Office, Residency Road.

Sarvajnanagar Assembly Constituency: Hennur Bande; Kacharkanahalli Govt School.

K.R. Pura Assembly Constituency: Shanti Barangay, Sante Maidan.

Mahadevpur Assembly Constituency: Munnekolala Bus Stand.

Rajarajeshwarinagar Assembly Constituency: Choudeshwarinagar Circle, Laggere; KSRTC Bus Stand Aladamara Circle; BBMP ground, Mallathahalli; Revenue – Cauvery Office, BEML 3rd Phase; Hosahalli, Gollarpalya; Bhubaneswarinagar Ward Office, Nagadevanahalli; Shirke Apartment Circle, Kengeri.

Jayanagar Assembly Constituency: Ragigudda Udyan, J.P. Nagar.

Chikkapet Assembly Constituency: ITE Campus, Hosur Road; Dasappa Hospital, Purabhavan.

Basavanagudi Assembly Constituency: Madduramma Maidan, Srinagar; Bandimankalamma Temple, Hanumantanagar.

Gandhinagar Assembly Constituency: K.V. Temple Road, Chikkapet.

Rajajinagar Assembly Constituency: Near Rajajinagar Police Station; Netaji Park, Basaveshwarnagar; Motappa Garden, Shivnagar.

Yalahanka Assembly Constituency: Vishwanagar, near our clinic, Chikkabettahalli.

Batarayanpur Assembly Constituency: Animal Hospital, Thanisandra; AEE Office, Dasarahalli; Near Tindlu Government School; Ramchandrapur, Doddabommasandra.