BENGALURU: The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) is planning to launch its own food trucks – Mayura Ruchi on Wheels – in November to provide quality food to tourists at major destinations. The project was approved at a board meeting chaired by Tourism and Energy Minister KJ George on Saturday.
A KSTDC official said tenders will be floated from October 5, and the aim is to launch the trucks by the third week of November. “We are looking for the best in the field to operate customised vehicles with live kitchens, ensuring zero wastage and quick service. The operators will partner with the restaurants in the vicinity of tourist destinations for materials,” the official said, adding that each vehicle is expected to cost around Rs 30 lakh.
The KSTDC will operate one vehicle at each tourist destination, and the pilot project will be launched at Hampi, Nandi Hills, Bengaluru and Mysuru, to be followed by launches at Madikeri and Jog Falls. The official said items like sandwiches, fries, burgers, pizzas and ice creams, apart from south Indian breakfast dishes, such as idli, vada, dosa, some rice items, tea and coffee, will be available on the food trucks.
Citing the example of Bengaluru and Mysuru, the official said, the trucks move around Lal Bagh, Cubbon Park, Palace Grounds, Kadlekai Parishe, Mysuru Palace and wherever tourist footfall is high.
The menu will be kept flexible, depending upon the location and the crowd. All food items will be vegetarian and the focus will be on local employment and regional cuisines.
The official said this will be a first in the country where food trucks are operated by government agencies at places where they are unable to set up restaurants. The timings of the food trucks will also be flexible. For instance, these trucks will operate from as early as 3am with hot food to cater to visitors to Nandi Hills who queue up from early morning at the foothills.
Tourism Secretary Dr Ram Prasath Manohar said food is an integral part of the tourism experience. The Mayura Ruchi on Wheels will extend KSTDC’s hospitality services closer to visitors, he said.