The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to establish the capital's first organised street food hubs across multiple zones, aiming to blend Delhi's vibrant street food culture with modern civic amenities. The proposed hubs will feature non-permanent vending spaces, hygienic infrastructure, adequate lighting, waste management facilities, and evening food zones, similar to the food parks in Indore and Surat.
Identified Locations
Six locations have been identified for the pilot project, including an MCD market near the NDRF camp in South Zone's Vasant Vihar, Shanti Stupa on Ring Road in Central Zone, an area behind Salimgarh Fort near the old iron railway bridge in the City-SP Zone, and NSP Place near Keshavpuram TV tower. Two additional sites have been identified in Rohini and West Zone. Senior MCD officials stated that two of these sites are controlled by other land-owning agencies, for which no-objection certificates (NOCs) will be sought first.
Cost and Planning
The average development cost is estimated at around Rs 50,000 per square metre, depending on the size and nature of each site. The initiative is currently at the planning and approval stage, with all proposals submitted to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs through the Delhi government. Unlike permanent commercial establishments, the hubs will only permit movable and non-permanent vending carts designed to meet prescribed hygiene and visual standards.
Categories of Vending Carts
Different categories of vending carts have been proposed, including carts serving prepared meals, chaat and salad carts, those selling beverages, and single-item vending carts. Each food hub is expected to accommodate around 50 to 100 vending units, depending on the size of the location. Vendor selection is proposed to be conducted through a transparent process involving a draw of lots among eligible registered street vendors under respective zone vending committees.
Licensing and Revenue
MCD plans to introduce a regulated licensing system under which vendors will pay processing charges, registration fees, and annual licence fees. Officials said the hubs are expected to generate reasonable municipal revenue. The proposal includes the development of civic and sanitation infrastructure, such as waste management systems, common dustbins, lighting arrangements, circulation space, weatherproof structures, and other public convenience facilities. Provision for potable water supply and washroom facilities will also be considered.
Operational Details
To ensure better management of the public and regulation of activities, the food hubs are proposed to operate primarily in the evening. The carts will have standardised designs and a common visual identity to create uniformity and better recognition. Their functioning will be monitored through periodic inspections by municipal and public health officials to ensure adherence to hygiene, sanitation, and food safety standards.
Future Expansion
Based on the success and feasibility of the pilot, the initiative may later be expanded to more locations across the city.
