Night Food Court Revamp at Old Jail Road Nears Completion

The Night Food Court at Old Jail Road, being developed under the Smart Street Vending Zones initiative of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), is undergoing a major transformation, with officials targeting public opening by the end of May if the remaining works stay on track.

Infrastructure work at the site is progressing steadily, marking a key step in the redevelopment of the popular vending hub that was cleared in September 2025 under the “Operation Life to Urban Green Spaces (LUNGS)” drive.

The earlier cluster of food trucks and push carts is being replaced by a more structured system of container-based vending units. The new model is designed to improve hygiene, organisation, and the customer experience, while providing vendors with a more stable setup.

As part of the Urban Community Development (UCD) wing’s plan, eligible vendors are being asked to contribute ₹2.5 lakh each, arranged through bank loans. Around 110 vendors have been shortlisted from the original 158 who were operating at the site since 2021.

The new container units will include compact kitchen spaces, billing counters, dedicated washing areas, customer seating, dustbin provisions, and solar power support. Officials said sanitation and waste management are being prioritised to ensure a clean and regulated food court environment.

According to UCD project director Y. Satyaveni, the project is expected to be completed within a month. In the first phase, about 60 vendors will be allotted units.

Officials said the initiative aims to rehabilitate street vendors while creating a modern, hygienic, and sustainable street food destination for the city.