We are introducing millet-based dishes in the breakfast menu for the first time. It’s a conscious move to make our food offerings healthier and more nutritious, in line with sustainable eating practices Pankaja, Additional Commissioner of UCD, GHMC

EKALAVYA MALLEPALLI I hyderabad

In a major step toward ensuring food security for the urban poor, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is set to launch 60 new ‘Indiramma Canteens’ on August 15. These revamped canteens, formerly known as Annapurna Canteens, will now serve both breakfast and lunch at a highly subsidized rate of just Rs. 5, with a new emphasis on millet-based and wholesome meals.

The initiative is being carried out under the supervision of the Urban Community Development (UCD) wing of GHMC, with long-term plans to expand the network to 150 canteens across all city zones. As part of the expansion, 139 new container-based canteen units are being set up citywide, backed by a project allocation of Rs. 11.43 crore.

Zone-wise, GHMC will roll out the new canteens in the following numbers: 22 in LB Nagar, 23 in Charminar, 35 in Khairatabad, 15 in Serilingampally, 23 in Kukatpally, and 30 in Secunderabad. These canteens are aimed at providing hygienic, low-cost meals to the city’s underserved and working-class population.

Currently, GHMC runs 128 Annapurna Canteens, which serve over 30,000 meals every day. These meals cater primarily to daily wage earners, students, and low-income workers who depend on affordable food options to get through the day. With the transition to Indiramma Canteens, the corporation aims to reach more people while improving food quality and variety.

The breakfast menu will include popular items such as idli, upma, puri, and pulihora, along with newly added millet-based tiffins. Meals will be available between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. GHMC estimates that each breakfast meal costs around Rs. 19 to prepare, of which Rs. 5 will be charged to the customer, while the remaining Rs. 14 will be subsidized by the municipal body. The annual expenditure on this breakfast service alone is expected to touch Rs. 15.33 crore.

Operational support for the project will be provided by Touch Stone Foundation, a partner of the Hare Krishna Movement. The organization will be responsible for daily cooking and distribution, ensuring consistent quality and hygiene. Each canteen will be equipped with seating arrangements, enabling beneficiaries to eat on-site with dignity and comfort.

By integrating nutrition-focused elements and scaling up its reach, GHMC hopes the Indiramma Canteens will significantly improve the standard of living for economically weaker sections of the city. The project not only reinforces the corporation’s commitment to inclusive urban development but also aligns with broader goals of promoting healthy, millet-based diets among the public.

This renewed food initiative is being seen as a model for other urban centers, showcasing how local governments can effectively tackle hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity through targeted and community-centric welfare.