Kolkata: Kolkata’s street food centres are bearing the brunt of the city’s scorching weather with lunch-hour crowds in the Central Business District staying away from the food vendors.
Thousands of office-goers depend on street food in areas like Dalhousie, Esplanade, Chandni Chowk, Park Street, Camac Street and Theatre Road, but the long spell of heat is keeping most of them indoors during the day.
While many are carrying their own lunch, others are either eating at the office pantry or ordering in food which adversely impacts the food stalls’ business.
Food vendors in the Central Business District mainly depend on the lunch-hour office crowd and to some extent on shoppers for their business. Due to the sweltering heat, most people are reluctant to step out during the lunch time when it is the hottest.
“Business has slumped by more than 60%. If this weather continues then many vendors will lose their capital,” said Ibrahim Laskar, secretary of the Moddhyo Kolkata Dalhousie Hawkers Union and a food vendor on Lyon’s Range.
The streets of the CBD, which are usually bustling with people grabbing a bite, have been eerily empty during the days. Several vendors have also decreased the quantity of food they prepare.
“It is impossible to step out in this heat. I have been carrying my own lunch which is very light. Honestly, I want to avoid outside food as long as this weather lasts,” said Subhajit Banerjee, a private bank employee on NS Road.
Many vendors have even made some arrangements to provide comfort to the few customers who are showing up.
“I have put up a big garden umbrella and a few plastic chairs so that customers can eat under the shade. But even that is not attracting a lot of customers as people are unwilling to step out of their AC offices. Some regulars place orders over the phone which I deliver to their offices with the help of my aides,” said Bablu Sau, a stall owner near Hind Inox.