Tripunithura to roll out ‘Atal Canteens’; two outlets in first phase

Kochi: Amid a growing push by political fronts to expand affordable food initiatives, Tripunithura municipality — one of the only two local bodies in Kerala governed by NDA — has announced plans to launch ‘Atal Canteens' on the lines of the ‘Samridhi@Kochi' model implemented by Kochi corporation.The proposed canteens are expected to be rolled out within three months, with the municipality planning to fund the project independently. In the initial phase, two outlets will be established, offering meals at a subsidised rate of Rs 20. "Since we do not expect financial assistance from state govt, the canteens will be designed to function sustainably on their own," said municipal chairperson P L Babu. One of the outlets is likely to be located near Tripunithura town, while the location of the second is yet to be finalised. The chairperson clarified that the existing Kudumbashree-run canteen in the municipality will continue to operate independently and will not be converted into an Atal canteen. The move comes against the backdrop of competing welfare initiatives proposed by different political fronts in the state. While LDF has implemented the Samridhi canteen model in Kochi, UDF has put forward a proposal to introduce ‘Indira Canteens' across Kerala. The Atal Canteen scheme, named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was launched in 2025 by BJP-led Delhi govt to provide affordable and nutritious meals to economically vulnerable sections. Meanwhile, municipality officials said that after the completion of the model code of conduct in place ahead of the state elections, beautification works will be taken up at various locations in the coming months. "Andhakarathodu, a canal at Tripunithura that was with the irrigation department, was handed over to the municipality in 2024. We will draft a detailed project report (DPR) for the beautification work within a few weeks," Babu added.