Kolkata’s Street Food Vendors Feel the Heat
Due to the city’s scorching weather, lunch-hour crowds in Kolkata’s Central Business District (CBD) have dwindled, significantly impacting street food vendors who rely on office-goers for their business.
Areas like Dalhousie, Esplanade, Chandni Chowk, Park Street, Camac Street, and Theatre Road, which are typically bustling with people grabbing a bite, have been notably empty during the day. The extended heatwave has forced most people to remain indoors, opting to bring their own lunch, eat in the office pantry, or order in food.
The decline in foot traffic has adversely affected the livelihood of food vendors, who primarily depend on the lunch-hour office crowd. Ibrahim Laskar, secretary of the Moddhyo Kolkata Dalhousie Hawkers Union, expressed concern about the situation, stating that business has slumped by over 60% and that many vendors risk losing their investment if the heat continues.
In an effort to provide some comfort to the few remaining customers, vendors have resorted to measures such as setting up large umbrellas and plastic chairs for shade. However, even these efforts have failed to attract customers, as people are hesitant to venture out of their air-conditioned offices during the hottest hours of the day. Some vendors have also begun delivering food to customers’ offices upon request.
