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India’s Street Food Capital Indore Badly Hit By COVID-19 Pandemic; Vendors Shut Down Iconic Stalls

by Tania Tarafdar
India’s Street Food Capital Indore Badly Hit By COVID-19 Pandemic; Vendors Shut Down Iconic Stalls

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a nightmare for restaurant owners and street-food vendors. At a time when residents are avoiding eating out, many businesses were compelled to shut down their shutters. The shutdown of businesses has resulted in mass lay-offs and the middle-class people of the country had to bear the brunt. Even as restaurants and eateries slowly re-open, they are finding it difficult to stay afloat and earn a living.

Indore Is Home To India’s Most Popular Street Food Joints

And when it comes to street vendors, Indore is the worst-hit city right now. Indore is popular for all its street-food outlets and many of these eateries had to shut down completely due to drastic cost reductions. down or think of drastic cost reductions. Maintaining all the hygiene and safety protocols during the pandemic is becoming a challenge for the small and local food stalls.

Chappan Dukan Is India’s Only Food Street That Remains Open Till 2am

Indore is a foodie’s heaven and it is world-renowned for its street-food lanes such as Chhappan Dukan and Sarafa Bazar which offer local specialties, like Bhutte ka Kees, Poha, Jalebi, and Malpua. Chappan Dukan is with food stalls on both sides. But did you know that Sarafa Bazar is India’s only food street that is open till 2 am?

Also read: Indore Becomes The First Indian City To Be Selected For International Clean Air Catalyst Programme

Street Food Vendors In Indore Increased The Rates Of The Items

Many owners were also forced to increase their rates by four times as the turnover of customers plummeted. In fact, the famous Uncle Moong Ke Bhajiye of the city could stay afloat even in these challenging times as he raised the price of the items. The iconic Uncle Moong ke Bhajiye is known for its mouth-watering ‘kurkure’ fritters. The fritters which would otherwise cost ₹50 per kilogram are now being sold at ₹250 per kilogram.

Also read: Uttar Pradesh Bags The Smartest State Award; Indore & Surat Are Best Smart Cities

Many eatery owners had to sell vegetables amid lockdown to earn a living.