Demand for snack kiosks in MRTS stations gains momentum

[1]

Commuters demand that at least snack kiosks be set up immediately - if not food plazas or fast food joints - at MRTS stations.

There are two kiosks that function at Thirumailai station.

Mr S. Vasanth, a regular commuter, said, “There are 15 stations between Velachery and Beach but only one station has snack counters.

The counters are not regular and open only during peak hours. We wait for at least 20 minutes for a train during noon. So, we need at least snack counters to buy water bottles.”

The snack counters at Thirumailai were put up three months ago. They offer puffs, samosas and biscuits apart from tea and coffee.

Mr Vishwanathan, who took sub-lease, said, “There’s a huge rush from 7 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 8 pm. We sell snacks worth Rs 3,000 a day. Commuters throng our counters.”

Divisional railway manager S. Anantharaman told DC, “We’re having plans to put up stalls similar to the one in Thirumailai station and Southern Railways will call for tenders soon.

The bidding will be competitive and stalls put up in Tiruvanmiyur, Taramani, Indira Nagar, Kotturpuram, Light House, Chepauk, Triplicane and Velachery stations among others. These stalls will be an additional amenity.”

A senior IRCTC official said, “As of now, tenders have been called to set up food plazas at Central and Tambaram stations.

In the next phase, we would set up food plazas at three MRTS stations —Thirumailai, Mylapore and Velachery. We did some feasibility study and then zeroed in on these stations.”