Chennai gets 107 new Amma canteens

CHENNAI: Cashing in on the success of budget canteens,

Greater Chennai Corporation

has spent 18.99 crore to construct 107 new

Amma Canteens

for the city, which were opened on Saturday. Adyar got the most new canteens at 10, while Manali got the fewest with two. From 15 canteens - one in each zone - when the scheme was launched in 2013, the total number of budget canteens has gone up to 407.

Minister for

municipal administration

S P Velumani inaugurated five canteens on Saturday in Perambur, Vadapalani, Ambattur, Royapuram and Mylapore. Mayor Saidai Duraisamy was not present during the opening. The existing 300 canteens, including seven in government hospitals, have been providing healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner, catering primarily to wage workers, migrants, public transport drivers and poor students. So far, the canteens have sold 33.6 crore idlis, 13.9 crore plates of mixed rice (sambar, curd, lemon and curry leaf) and 17.38 crore chappatis, said a statement from the corporation.

Though the civic body incurs a loss, the popular canteens have won praise for providing hygienic food at subsidised cost. Officials from Egypt, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra have visited Amma Canteens in the city and are trying to emulate the concept in their states.


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