Authorities test Healthy and Hygienic Food Street carts in Tiruchi

Tiruchi District Collector Pratik Tayal inspecting the food carts at the Healthy and Hygienic Food Street project on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Tiruchi district authorities conducted test runs on the carts set to serve customers at the upcoming Healthy and Hygienic Food Street (HHFS) project in Khajamalai on Sunday.According to an official announcement, Tiruchi District Collector Pratik Tayal inspected 39 food carts in the evening and reviewed the steps taken for the initiative’s inauguration on November 1.The HHFS will function on a 300-metre stretch on Race Course Road between Government Law College and Thanthai Periyar Government Arts and Science College in Khajamalai. The carts are fitted for electricity and water supply, and vendors will focus on selling nutritious food prepared and served in a hygienic manner.The project is implemented by the Tiruchi district administration through the Food Safety Department with infrastructure support from the Tiruchi Corporation. Approximately ₹30 lakh had been allocated for electrification, drinking water, waste management, and lighting.After the pilot project premieres in Tiruchi on November 1, the HHFS initiative will be launched in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, and Tiruppur districts, said the announcement.“We have prioritised vendors licensed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India [FSSAI] who serve healthy options, to help the public make informed choices about their diet. At present, all the carts are in good order,” M. Jegadish Chandra Bose, District Designated Officer for the Food Safety Wing, told The Hindu.A total of 19 vendors have been given bank loan facility while 20 have received funding from the District Industries Centre to finance the purchase of the food carts. The stainless steel carts are designed to allow vendors to store and prepare food items on site. Food handlers will be expected to wear requisite protective gear such as gloves and caps when serving customers.A single card payment system has been installed for customers.Earlier this month, in a consultative meeting, members of the Race Course Road Walkers’ Association had urged the Food Safety Department to ensure that solid waste generated by the initiative was segregated at source. They called for measures to prevent waste and used cooking oil from being dumped along the walking track and a common washing area with sufficient drainage facilities. Published - October 25, 2026 08:29 pm IST