Rs 10-breakfast, dinner deliver a hit at Kochi Corporation's Indira Canteen

KOCHI: The response to Indira Canteen – introduced by the UDF-led Kochi corporation in March this year – has been overwhelming, driven mainly by its Rs 10-breakfast and dinner.

Key points

• Eldon P J, belonging to Malappuram and pursuing a German language course in Palarivattom, depends on the Indira Canteen – located in Edappally – for breakfast and dinner.
• Interestingly, the food served at Indira Canteen continues to be cooked at Samridhi@Kochi's kitchen.
• Mentioned in the UDF manifesto, Indira Canteen is a concept inspired from a similar scheme in Karnataka.
• This Onam, they are additionally serving two varieties of payasam every day, charging a minimum of `40 per cup.
• "Discussions are on to set up a cloud kitchen at Edappally, " Mayor V K Minimol informed TNIE.

Mentioned in the UDF manifesto, Indira Canteen is a concept inspired from a similar scheme in Karnataka. The project envisages providing a day's food at a total cost of `50. It would appear the project has hit the target as youngsters increasingly come in search of the subsidised food available in their neighbourhood.

"At Rs 10, the breakfast and dinner have been a life-saver for me. That supported cut my expenses for food considerably, and we as a group come here every day, " he stated.

While three chapatis arrive with a vegetable curry for dinner, for breakfast, three idlis are served with sambar and chutney. For now, Indira Canteen does not provide a traditional lunch. Instead, kanji with a thoran and chutney is served for `30. Other items like pothichoru (`80), special kanji (`80) and chicken biriyani (`100) are among the eatery's fast-moving dishes.

This Onam, they are additionally serving two varieties of payasam every day, charging a minimum of `40 per cup. "The quality of food served here has been amazing, despite the subsidised rates. Moreover, the canteen is clean and well-maintained, " continued another youngster. This person did not want to be named.

Apart from students, daily-wage workers, especially those from automobile workshops nearby, and security guards of private firms too depend on Indira Canteen to satisfy their appetite.

"There is sufficient quantity of rice in pothichoru as well. But at present the options in dishes are limited, " pointed out another customer.

Regular customers additionally complain concerning a shortage of seating facilities inside the canteen. Since its opening, the canteen has been received well by local individuals and travellers alike. At present, 14 staff members work at Indira Canteen in two shifts. The canteen runs from 8 am to 10.30 pm.

Interestingly, the food served at Indira Canteen continues to be cooked at Samridhi@Kochi's kitchen. Though the corporation's original plan is to open a cloud kitchen for both Samridhi and Indira, it is yet to be realised. The UDF-led council had additionally planned to open more Indira Canteen outlets in the city. But even five months after the canteen's launch, extra units are yet to come up.

"Discussions are on to set up a cloud kitchen at Edappally, " Mayor V K Minimol informed TNIE. "We have identified sponsors for the equipment needed for the purpose. Once it is set up, more Indira Canteen outlets will come up." A cloud kitchen would support run the canteen in a cost-effective manner, she went on. Average demand for various dishes/day.

In short, rs 10-breakfast, dinner deliver a hit at Kochi Corporation' s Indira Canteen is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.