VV Puram Food Street thrives, but is also buckling under litter

Bengaluru: VV Puram Food Street, popularly known as Thindi Beedi, is grappling with overcrowding and poor maintenance just six months after its revamp by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

While regular visitors and shopkeepers appreciate the civic body’s efforts, they stress the need for basic infrastructure like handwash points and public toilets to maintain hygiene.

The 100-meter stretch is often littered with heaps of garbage, including disposable plates and food waste, creating an unpleasant odour. “After the New Year rush, the VV Puram Food Street Vardhakara Sangha will convene to discuss measures to maintain hygiene,” said Ravi Shankar of the popular Shivanna Gulkand Store.

Shankar suggested that shop owners keep individual dustbins, but noted that cart vendors lack the resources for this, underscoring the need for public dustbins.

Basavaraj, a vendor from Ganesh Juice Centre, attributed the littering to customers moving between stalls without finding sufficient garbage disposal points. “People end up tossing waste on the roadside when dustbins aren’t available,” he said.

The revamp, which narrowed the road to expand the footpath, has led to more congestion. “It gets crowded and chaotic during weekends,” Basavaraj added.

Eshwar, a vendor at Gurudeva Eating House, pointed out that the public toilet at the street’s end closes at 9 pm, while the food street remains operational until midnight on some days.

Despite these challenges, vendors acknowledge that the revamp has boosted business. However, they emphasise that better maintenance by the BBMP is critical. “No matter how much the pourakarmikas clear the garbage, it piles up again,” said Ratna Ganesh, owner of Ramu Tiffin Centre.

BBMP Chief Engineer (South) Rajesh stated that a spot inspection was conducted recently to assess the street’s condition. “A meeting will be held next week to discuss the construction of public toilets and wash basins,” he assured.