Modified & unapproved: Illegal food trucks mushroom across Nagpur

Nagpur: From gourmet burgers and tacos to wood-fired pizzas and exotic beverages, flashy food trucks have rapidly become the latest urban trend across Nagpur. But behind the colourful lights and trendy menus lies a growing regulatory and public safety concern, with many of these mobile kitchens operating illegally without mandatory permissions, structural approvals or fire safety clearances.Over the past few years, the number of food trucks parked along busy roads and public spaces has increased sharply across the city. Major clusters have emerged near Hislop College, Abhyankar Nagar, IT Park, West High Court Road, Wardha Road, Jaiprakash Nagar, Jaripatka, CID Road, Godhani Road, Besa and several other prominent areas, often occupying footpaths, roadside parking spaces and public land.Many of these vehicles have been extensively modified into commercial kitchens in blatant violation of transport regulations. Several trucks have been fitted with heavy kitchen equipment, including commercial gas stoves, wood-fired ovens, chimney vents, welded metal counters, diesel generators and large water storage tanks. In some cases, the original vehicle structure has been completely altered to accommodate restaurant-style kitchens.According to Regional Transport Office (RTO) rules, even minor structural modifications to a vehicle require prior approval from the transport department.The issue has now come under the scanner during Nagpur Municipal Corporation's ongoing "100-day drive" aimed at clearing encroachments and illegal roadside occupations. Sources said municipal commissioner Vipin Itankar has instructed RTO officials to assist civic authorities in action against unauthorised food trucks operating across the city.Confirming the crackdown, city RTO Kiran Bidkar said the department has been coordinating with NMC teams during enforcement drives."As per rules, even small modifications in a vehicle require permission from the RTO, but many operators violate the rules. We regularly take action against such vehicles," Bidkar said.Despite the visible rise in food trucks across Nagpur, RTO records show that action has been taken against only 26 vehicles in the last three months, with penalties amounting to nearly ₹3 lakh collected.Meanwhile, sources say low penalty structure is one of the biggest hurdles. The fine for unauthorised vehicle modification is currently around ₹4,000 — an amount many operators reportedly treat as negligible compared to the profits earned from business. Sources added that several food truck owners have invested anywhere between ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh in setting up high-end mobile kitchens.Civic activists and residents have now raised concerns over absence of fire audits, hygiene checks and parking regulations, warning that unchecked growth of illegal food trucks could pose a serious public safety risk in future.