Bengaluru: The legality of food trucks in Bengaluru has resurfaced as a contentious issue following a recent post on X. While food truck operators have urged BBMP and the government for formal recognition and regulations, little progress has been made. Conversely, resident welfare associations (RWAs) argue that although these mobile eateries provide affordable meals, they also create various problems.
Harsha Reddy, owner of Levant, initially set up his Turkish-Arabic food truck in Indiranagar. Despite its popularity, complaints from locals about congestion and smoke forced him to relocate multiple times. Even in their current bylane location, grievances persist. Similarly, other hawkers claim these trucks hurt their sales.
Varun Michael Sequeira, president of the Bangalore Food Truck Association (BFTA), notes that food trucks can only operate legally on private property due to the absence of specific permits. Once boasting 48 members, the association now has just 10, with businesses like Papichulo, Raghavendra Cafe, and Barbecue Bike shifting operations to private spaces.
RWAs cite concerns over waste disposal, rodent infestations, and trucks occupying public spaces permanently. They demand dedicated zones to prevent traffic disruptions and encroachments.
BBMP Special Commissioner (Health) Suralkar Vikas Kishore confirms that food trucks currently fall under the street vendor category, with 22,000 such vendors identified. He assures that upcoming regulations will address sanitation, waste disposal, operational hours, and designated locations.
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