From ‘Khau Galli’ to ‘Khali Galli’

The anti-encroachment drive of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and the city traffic police has won praises from all quarters. One of the areas that has been freed from encroachment by vendors is the stretch near LD College of Engineering, popularly known as Khau Galli. Once abuzz with student movement, today it wears a deserted look.

As part of their drive, the authorities demolished the roadside stalls which were part of the Khau Galli. To ensure the vendors did not return to their spots, trees were planted on the entire stretch. The move has left the student community from LDCE, Gujarat University and the Government Polytechnic College upset. For them, Khau Galli was a one-stop solution to their hunger pangs with its pocket-friendly menu and variety of dishes on offer.

In fact, some of the eateries had been operating from the same spot for as many as 40-45 years, making them a venue for alumni get-togethers as well.

Roothraj, a tea stall that has been there for over four decades now, was a major crowd-puller because of its tea and maska-bun. Thanks to its popularity, it had become an icon of sorts. Reminiscing his days at Roothraj, film producer Milap Jadeja says, “It is more than just an eating joint. It was a point where friends as well as people with common interests gathered.” A photography enthusiast then, Jadeja came out with a book titled ‘Hope’ on slums kids who used to beg at these eateries including RoothRaj way back in 2007-08.

“Had it not been for RoothRaj, I would not have come up with the book, got interested in documentary films, taken up film-making course or become a film producer,” he said Naman Kanjani, a student of Xavier’s College, got introduced to Rooth-Raj 1.5 years back. “Since that day, I began to visit the place regularly. I loved their tea because it was pure, without flavours like ginger, mint, etc. I am happy that it is still open, even if at a different location,” he said.

Talking about the journey of RoothRaj, selling tea and maska-bun over past 45 years at the Khau Galli, owner Prakash Malbari said, “Our journey started from near gate of LM Pharmacy College. After the Ring Road was made, we were shifted to the inside lane by the corporation. We have the licence but Gujarat University and LD College authorities didn’t want us there. The recent drive got them support from traffic cops.” He lamented the loss of business, confessing that the relocation has “left us with only 10% business as not all students can come to our new stall”. He now operates the stall from a spot near Passport Office.

‘Little variety in canteen food’
There were at least 30 vendors in the Khau Galli who have been removed from the space. Students say they have to spend at least eight hours on campus. Earlier, they would step out for a grab at the eateries as the college canteen and mess do not provide much variety at affordable prices.

“We never used to worry about food earlier. It was nearby college and whenever we felt like eating something, we would take out 15 minutes and rush to these eateries. Options were in plenty and pocket-friendly. Now, we have to bring tiffin from home and eat cold food hours later,” said Keval Vaghela, a student of LDCE.

Students say that sometimes when they have no option they rush to Vijay Crossroads to grab a bite. Parth Vakil, a fourth year student, said that it would have been a better idea to relocate these eateries to another place. “We spend a lot of time in college and eating canteen food every day can be boring.

These stalls gave us better options, from snacks to meals,” he said. Worst-affected are students coming from distant areas of the city like Nikol and Vastral in east Ahmedabad.