Thindi beedi in new avatar: Revamp of Bengaluru’s iconic VV Puram food street with modern amenities on the cards

The BBMP has planned to redevelop the whole stretch similar to the recently renovated Commercial Street

From piping hot bajjis to Congress buns, the city’s ‘thindi beedi’ holds a special place in most Bengalureans’ hearts. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has now come forward to remodel and redevelop the iconic VV Puram food street.

The food street in Visveswarapuram (VV Puram), situated near the Sajjan Rao circle close to Gandhi Bazaar, lacks modern amenities and the narrow but crowded street is not capable of handling the huge number of crowds and vehicles it attracts. Over 20 food stalls spread over less than 150 metres here serve a variety of south Indian, north Indian and Chinese delicacies to customers.

According to BBMP officials, the stretch is crowded, especially after 6 pm, leading to heavy traffic snarls. There is also a lack of modern amenities. “There were requests by the vendors in VV Puram that the street has to be renovated with modern facilities since the stretch is always crowded and lacks basic amenities. The BBMP has planned to redevelop the whole stretch similar to the recently renovated Commercial Street in the city,” said Jayaram Raipura, Zonal Commissioner of BBMP South Zone.

The BBMP will upgrade the infrastructure at a cost of around ₹Rs 5 crore and the work may start this month. ”The whole food street will be redeveloped with modern facilities within six months and work for the same will be started this month,” Mr. Raipura added.

A blueprint has also been prepared to revamp the food street where, according to civic body officials, colourful tiles and cobblestones will be paved on roads and pavements, dedicated sitting areas for customers will be set up and the stretch will be pedestrian-friendly.

Meanwhile, shopkeepers are relieved and happy that the famous food street will be redeveloped, which they hope will bring more business and make the street customer-friendly.

Basavaraj, a vendor said, “We were demanding the civic body to revamp the food street for many years since it lacks facilities. Customers are happy to visit the place but due to poor road conditions and heavy traffic, many people don’t like to visit.”