Delhi govt on the lookout for spots to develop food truck hubs

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has started an exercise to identify land parcels in the city to develop food truck hubs. Joint teams of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) and land-owning agencies have started inspecting the land parcels under their jurisdiction where such markets could be established.
DTTDC, which has been assigned the responsibility to prepare a food truck policy and set up the hubs across the city, is likely to submit a report to the government next week.
According to officials, during his last meeting to review the progress made on various new schemes promised under the Rozgar Budget, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had asked the agencies to carry out a quick survey of the land parcels, examine the feasibility of setting up of food truck hubs and submit a detailed report within 10 working days.
The Delhi government has estimated that at least 15,000 new jobs will be created with the food truck business.
The representatives of various land-owning agencies had attended the meeting along with the officials of finance, planning, tourism and trade and taxes and gave brief presentation on their land clusters in the city.
Sources, however, said the government may not consider the land belonging to Delhi Development Authority and New Delhi Municipal Council, which are under the administrative control of the central government.
“Unlike Mumbai, which is a 24-hour city boasting of several locations that are thronged even after midnight, Delhi does not have that kind of concept. Also, the areas identified for the food truck hubs must be surrounded with habitat to ensure people can visit without any inconvenience,” said a senior Delhi government official.
The food truck concept will not only create new job opportunities but is also expected to boost the national capital’s nightlife. The hubs will operate between 8pm and 2am.
According to Sisodia, the food truck markets will play the role of a catalyst in providing a vibrant nightlife experience to the citizens of Delhi, on the lines of countries like the USA and Canada.