06 February,2021 10:30 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal and standing committee chairman Yashwant Jadhav at the BMC head office during presentation of the budget. Pic/Bipin Kokate
On February 3, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) unveiled its budget of Rs 39,038 crore, which is 17 per cent more than the previous year's Rs 33,441 crore. BMC, the country's richest civic body, has also planned to set up street food hubs across Mumbai.
According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the BMC has identified 65 locations wherein 3,331 vendors will be accommodated. These vendors can sell food on trucks or in normal stalls.
As per sources, the street food hubs is an extension of BMC's plan to station food trucks across the city, for which it had prepared a draft policy last year. The idea of having food trucks across the city has also got a push by Maharashtra tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray.
In its annual budget for 2021-22, the civic body has reserved Rs 200 crore for creating food hubs, besides beautifying footpaths and the space below flyovers.
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Talking about the same municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said, "We already have identified 65 locations for food hubs in the city for about 3,331 vendors. These vendors can also operate food trucks between 6 pm and 11 pm." As per the draft policy, which was prepared by BMC last year, food truck owners will be given designated spots at several locations across the city.
However, BMC officials said that the food trucks and stalls cannot be used for any other purpose or activity apart from selling food. Besides, the owners will also have to get permission from the civic body's health department, license, and shops and establishment department followed by the traffic police and the Mumbai fire brigade.
According to BMC's budget speech for 2021-22, "selling popular street food that meets the highest hygiene and sanitary standards will be allowed to operate at the 65 locations where a cluster of 30 vendors at a time will be permitted".
