BENGALURU: A day after the much-publicised inauguration, the Indira Canteens in the city saw massive rush, so much so that many of them ran out of food within an hour of opening. There were also some teething troubles which Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) authorities say they are confident of fixing in the next few days.
At the canteens located at Ejipura near Garuda Mall and at Langford Road among other areas, breakfast did not arrive until 8.30am, leaving many disappointed. There were also complaints of insufficient drinking water. However, lunch time passed off more smoothly with long queues at each of the canteens. Some canteens saw many college students too lining up.
Though a majority of people appreciated the quality of food, some complained that the quantity was insufficient.
Nagaraj, a resident of Hanumanthanagar, who visited the Kanakanapalya Indira Canteen said, “I paid Rs 5 to buy rava khichdi, which came in a small cup. This is not enough for an adult. When I asked for a second token, the staff refused to give me one. They said they have been instructed to give only one token to one person. I went there by 8.20 am, but by that time, the food was almost over.”
Srinivas, a who works with a private agency, said he visited an Indira Canteen for breakfast and lunch.
“Breakfast was not up to the mark, but lunch was good. For Rs10, I had bisibele bhath and curd rice, which was sufficient. I went to the Indira Canteen in Shanthalanagar ward near Garuda Mall at 12.30 pm, but the food had not come. There were many people waiting. The food arrived only at 2.30 pm and by that time, people had left,’’ he said.
BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad claimed there has been an overwhelming response. “We had anticipated about 500 people per canteen, but the number almost doubled in some of the canteens. In fact, we had to face law and order problems in a few places where disappointed people started fighting with the canteen staff,’’ he said.
“We will have to wait for few days to know how many people come to a canteen, on an average. Based on that, we can prepare food and send it,’’ he said.
Prasad said they have the capacity to increase the quantity of food prepared. “Since all 27 kitchens are not ready yet, the vendor agencies are preparing food at their outlets and supplying it. During peak hours, it takes time to reach the ward canteens. Nine kitchens are ready and another 18 are under construction. We are installing equipment in these kitchens and it will take 15 days to complete the work. Once these are ready, food can be delivered in a short time as the kitchens will be decentralised,’’ he said.
Monthly coupon system on cards?
BBMP commissioner said some customers told him that standing in queues every day is a waste of time, especially when they are leaving for work. There was a suggestion to introduce a system where one can buy monthly coupons. “We have to check how this system can be helpful to such people. We will work it out and propose this to the government,’’ he said. There is also a proposal to change the menu, but it cannot be done now. This may be considered later, he added.