MYSURU: Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has selected a site on Sayyaji Rao Road to develop a dedicated street food hub under the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme. The initiative aims to provide street food vendors with an organised, hygienic space while showcasing the city’s culinary heritage to residents and tourists.
Mysuru is among 17 cities across India selected by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to establish a street food hub. The project is expected to support street vendors’ livelihoods, improve public amenities and strengthen the city’s reputation as a heritage and tourism destination.
MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha said the selection recognised Mysuru’s food culture, heritage, tourism importance and reputation as a clean city.
Site selected near old RMC bus stand
The corporation has chosen its land on Sayyaji Rao Road near the old RMC private bus stand and close to Vidyavardhaka educational institutions. The location was selected from two shortlisted sites following an assessment by civic officials.
The proposed hub is centrally located and close to important establishments, including K.R. Hospital, Mysore Medical College, the private bus stand and the APMC sub-market. Its accessibility is expected to benefit both local customers and visitors exploring Mysuru.
MCC officials have inspected the site and prepared graphic designs for the proposed facility. The tender process for the project is expected to begin shortly. However, the corporation has not announced a construction timeline or opening date.
Food stalls and modern public amenities planned
The proposed hub will bring vendors together in a designated space equipped with facilities intended to improve hygiene, convenience and safety. Planned amenities include food stalls, shaded seating, drinking water, toilets, lighting, signboards and solid waste management systems.
The design also envisages durable, non-slip pathways, heritage-style lighting, native plants, shade trees and green buffers. Bilingual signboards and maps are expected to help visitors navigate the facility.
Accessibility and safety are also part of the plan. Proposed features include ramps, tactile paving, wide walkways, CCTV cameras, emergency call points and night-time security. Separate service lanes for deliveries and waste collection are intended to help keep pedestrian areas clear.
The hub is also expected to support food safety standards and digital payment facilities, helping vendors operate in a more organised environment.
Traditional cuisine to attract visitors
The facility will provide a dedicated space for vendors selling traditional dishes from Mysuru and other parts of Karnataka. By bringing different food businesses together, the project aims to create a destination where residents and tourists can sample regional cuisine in a cleaner and more convenient setting.
The hub could also offer visitors an additional food-related attraction, particularly during major events and tourism seasons. Officials expect the improved facilities to support better hygiene, enhance the customer experience and potentially increase vendors’ earnings.
The initiative is intended to combine the promotion of local food traditions with improved conditions for small businesses. Its success will depend on effective management, regular maintenance, food safety compliance and the participation of vendors.
Project aims to address roadside vending concerns
The proposal comes amid continuing concerns about street vending along busy roads and footpaths in Mysuru. Roadside stalls can affect pedestrian movement and make waste management and cleanliness more difficult when adequate facilities are unavailable.
Civic authorities have faced challenges in keeping footpaths clear, including along Sayyaji Rao Road, where vendors have returned after previous clearance drives. The proposed hub is intended to provide an alternative location for vending while helping the corporation manage public spaces more effectively.
MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha said steps would be taken to implement the project, with the tender process expected to start soon.
The street food hub is therefore expected to serve two purposes: supporting vendors’ livelihoods and improving the city’s public spaces. Once developed, the facility could become a new destination for Mysuru’s traditional cuisine while helping the corporation balance street vending, pedestrian convenience and urban cleanliness.