BENGALURU: Though work on only 87 Indira Canteens had been completed as of Saturday morning, the BBMP reiterated that 101 canteens will be operational from Wednesday.
The initial target announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the annual state budget was 198 canteens — one in every ward. These were to be inaugurated on August 15.
However, BBMP encountered issues with citizens protesting in several areas because the canteens were eating into spaces in parks and grounds and old structures were also being demolished. Following this, the CM had announced on August 5 that 125 canteens will begin operations on August 16, with the rest of the canteens scheduled to open on October 2.
BBMP Mayor G Padmavathi brought the figure further down to 101 on Saturday, while also confirming that work on 87 canteens was complete. The mayor confirmed on Sunday that the number was still 101. The canteens will be inaugurated at a function attended by AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday.