It is not difficult to spot this Indira Canteen, which is by far the most popular of the 151 the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has opened so far.
Nestled in the middle of the bustling K.R. Market area, it is one of the first canteens that opened on October 2, and dishes out over 1,000 plates for each meal almost every day.
The canteen — which is in the Dharmarayaswamy Temple ward, South Zone — is faring the best in terms of demand, with 1,200 plates each of breakfast and lunch, and 1,000 plates of dinner being served on an average every day.
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The number dips to around 600 on holidays, but that is still better than the average number of plates in most other canteens.
On a typical day, there is a queue outside the gate even before service begins, and a lot of disappointed faces after the service is over as there is almost never enough food for all those who come in.
“The location is an important factor. There is a hospital close by (Victoria), colleges, bus stand, places of worship, and the market,” said Poornima, supervisor of the canteen.
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Rakshith, a II Pre-University student of a college nearby, said he and his classmates eat lunch at the Indira Canteen almost daily as their college does not have a canteen and this fits into their budget.
Staff outnumbered
As the time to conclude draws nearer and the ₹10 tokens are given out without a break, the server hollers for the cashier to stop. “Food is over,” he says. The token window is shut but those who have landed inside without one are not happy. A verbal duel begins, and the staff dials for the police. This is not uncommon, staffers say.
As the irate customers are pacified and sent out, the security guard is asked to shut the gate to prevent more people from coming in. By 2.30 p.m., the plates are washed, slabs cleared, and the staff takes a breather. In about five hours, it will be time for the dinner service.