Kochi Corporation in Kerala to propose budget expansion of Indira Canteen under central schemes

Kochi Corporation’s Indira Canteen at Edappally Zonal Office in Kochi (File) | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT

The expansion of Indira Canteen, a budget canteen introduced by the newly elected United Democratic Front council, is among the 31 projects identified by the Kochi Corporation in Kerala for potential assistance under the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), an initiative of the Union government.

With the first unit of Indira Canteen set to complete six months on September 14, 2026, the company has already initiated steps to expand it with more outlets. The first unit was inaugurated on March 14 amid stiff protest from the opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF), which saw the initiative as an attempt to sabotage the much-vaunted Samridhi@Kochi, another budget restaurant brand launched during the previous LDF council in 2021.

“We have already written to the CEO of Vyttila Mobility Hub asking for land lease for setting up Indira Canteen as running it outside the leased premises would not be feasible. We are looking for more than Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding to support Indira Canteen by offering it for assistance under UCF and SASCI, given the long repayment period,” Mayor VK Minimol said.

The company remains hopeful of securing funding under the central schemes for its proposed central kitchen at Edappally, which will serve both the Indira Canteen and Samridhi@Kochi outlets.

Under the programme, which will run from 2026 to 2031, the Union government will provide 25% of the project cost as a grant, subject to at least 50% being raised through bonds, bank loans and public-private partnerships (PPPs). SASCI extends 50-year, interest-free loans and financial incentives to states and union territories to build infrastructure and digital systems.

Indira Canteen records an average daily footfall of 3,200-3,500. So far, the corporation has subsidized the expenditure on budget meals through capital investment of around ₹ 19 lakhs to improve infrastructure at the outlet.

Premium device planned

The company also proposes to convert the Samridhi@Kochi outlet in Fort Kochi into a premium establishment while limiting the budget service to a small counter. “Fort Kochi is a tourist destination and that’s why local traders are protesting against cheap restaurants eating in their establishment. The future Samridhi outlets will focus on premium services,” Ms Minimol said.

VA Sreejith, leader of the LDF parliamentary party, claimed that the move to convert Samridhi – which evolved from a hunger-free city project to provide affordable food – into a for-profit initiative “reeks of a bigger trick” to sabotage the very concept. He argued that opening more Samridhi outlets would benefit women with the associated increase in business scale and should be an ideal course of action.

“The council is also in the dark about the cost of using central schemes like UCF. When asked for details, the council was told they were yet to emerge,” he said.

Published – 01 Sep 2026 12:06 IST