In Mulabagil, the Indira Canteen, designed to offer affordable food options to all, stands idle five months after its completion. Strategically located at the intersection of Anjaneya Swamy Temple and Zilla Panchayat and Post Office Roads, the canteen’s inaction has caused concern among local laborers, students, and daily commuters who were hopeful for a budget-friendly dining option.
Despite its modern construction and amenities, the canteen has not opened its doors. Instead, the well-built facility has become overgrown with underbrush, and its front area has been unofficially repurposed into a parking lot for various vehicles. This unfortunate reality starkly contrasts with the initial intentions behind the project, leading to disappointment among the local population.
The Indira Canteen initiative was launched with the noble goal of ensuring that no one in the city faces hunger due to financial constraints. However, with the canteen still non-operational, residents find themselves relying on expensive hotels or going without meals. This situation has generated significant frustration among locals, who are disheartened by the deterioration of the premises due to unauthorized use.
The project has faced its share of delays, with the previous Congress government allocating land but failing to initiate construction. Following the party’s return to power, the building was completed swiftly, yet now the glass windows, doors, and tables sit unused, awaiting the long-delayed inauguration
As the community waits, the canteen’s premises have inadvertently turned into a makeshift shelter for some individuals seeking refuge. People are often seen sleeping in front of the doors, while others leave behind litter from chewing gutka and tobacco, contributing to the area’s neglect. This situation underscores the urgent need for the canteen to open its doors and serve the community.
Local residents continue to express their hopes for the Indira Canteen to finally begin operations. They believe it could provide much-needed relief and affordable nutrition to those in need, transforming the neglected building into a vital community resource.
The ongoing inaction surrounding the Indira Canteen serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in fulfilling community needs through public initiatives. With its completion now five months behind, the local populace eagerly awaits a resolution that will allow the canteen to fulfill its intended purpose of providing accessible food to all.
The community’s plea is clear: it is time for authorities to take decisive action, open the canteen, and restore hope to those who have long awaited its services.