Food street at Kozhikode beach to be opened on Oct. 20

Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh will inaugurate the food street and a wending market at the Kozhikode beach on Monday (October 20). Mayor Beena Philip told reporters here on Saturday (October 18) that 90 vendors who were already conducting business at the beach were being rehabilitated through the food street. A convention of noted persons in the city will also be held as part of the event.

The bunks have been specially designed by De-earth architects and manufactured by Metal Industries. Kerala Bank offered loans to the vendors to purchase the bunks.

With the opening of the food street, the beach will be declared as a regional vending zone, banning all unauthorised vending in the area. The model food street will offer clean and healthy food, Health Officer Munavar Rahman said.

It is a joint venture of the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) and the Department of Food Safety, along with the Kozhikode Corporation. The NULM and the Food Safety department are investing ₹3.44 crore into the project, while the Corporation is spending ₹1.85 crore. The Corporation has made arrangements for drinking water, electricity, and other basic facilities on the street. There are plans to provide uniforms to the vendors as well.

The vendors shall not transfer the license or the bunks to others or rent them out. Doing so will result in a cancellation of the licenses. They shall not sell narcotic products or use them during work hours. They shall not stock explosives or acid in the bunks. The oil used for cooking needs to be changed every day.

A management committee, including a street manager and six cleaning workers, is in charge of the street.

Meanwhile, the United Democratic Front (UDF) councillors have alleged corruption in the project, the details of which are to be released on Monday.