<p>In 2022, the BBMP had set aside a budget of Rs 6 crore to renovate the VV Puram food street. It was to resemble Church Street, with pedestrian friendly streets.</p>.<p>The street draws locals and tourists for its tasty food. It was to get cobblestone pavements, seating and drainage.</p>.<p>The renovation was to be done within four months, by April, according to a BBMP proposal presented in December 2022. But work is still in progress, with the road dug up and pipes lying around.</p>.<p>Manikant Gupta, president of the Food Street Vendors Association say the rain and the election season contributed to the delays.</p>.<p>The shops are allowed to open only at 6 pm now, to make way for the makeover work. “Earlier I would open at 4 pm. Now that is two hours of sales lost,” a roti vendor says.</p>.<p>Ravishankar, who owns a gulkand and snacks shop, says, “There used to be fewer workers because the contractors handle various renovation projects all over the city, but now there are more.”</p>.<p>“I believe BBMP is trying its best,” says Ambika Virupaksha of Sai Foods.</p>.<p><strong>‘Ready by July 15’</strong></p>.<p>“The renovation has been delayed due to unavoidable circumstances like the elections but we aim to get it done by July 15,” said Jairam Rajpura, BBMP zonal commissioner (South).</p>
<p>In 2022, the BBMP had set aside a budget of Rs 6 crore to renovate the VV Puram food street. It was to resemble Church Street, with pedestrian friendly streets.</p>.<p>The street draws locals and tourists for its tasty food. It was to get cobblestone pavements, seating and drainage.</p>.<p>The renovation was to be done within four months, by April, according to a BBMP proposal presented in December 2022. But work is still in progress, with the road dug up and pipes lying around.</p>.<p>Manikant Gupta, president of the Food Street Vendors Association say the rain and the election season contributed to the delays.</p>.<p>The shops are allowed to open only at 6 pm now, to make way for the makeover work. “Earlier I would open at 4 pm. Now that is two hours of sales lost,” a roti vendor says.</p>.<p>Ravishankar, who owns a gulkand and snacks shop, says, “There used to be fewer workers because the contractors handle various renovation projects all over the city, but now there are more.”</p>.<p>“I believe BBMP is trying its best,” says Ambika Virupaksha of Sai Foods.</p>.<p><strong>‘Ready by July 15’</strong></p>.<p>“The renovation has been delayed due to unavoidable circumstances like the elections but we aim to get it done by July 15,” said Jairam Rajpura, BBMP zonal commissioner (South).</p>