Mobile eateries galore, draw people on the go

Sainikpuri: "Ditto Paradise Biriyani," screams a board opposite Sainikpuri bus stop and several people are seen pulling over to pick up biriyani packets and go on their way.

In the evenings, from 8 pm onwards, one finds a bevy of food trucks selling steaming dosa, wada, shawarma and other fast food. Closeby, there are also vendors of ice-creams, faluda etc., cashing in on the crowds looking for desserts, right after a brisk hot meal.

Commuters to and from Secunderabad going through Sainikpuri, A S Rao Nagar, Kushaiguda and beyond stop by for a quick bite.

"It is strategically located which is why so many food trucks have come up," says Mohanan, a regular customer. Also, the food is much cheaper than that that in restaurants.

Priya R, a resident of the area, said, "They sell delicious food at cheap prices and treat their customers well. They don't take up too many parking spaces, either. The only downside was when it gets crowded and busy in the night." Govind J, the owner of Ambika Ice Cream and Faluda Stall, said, "I didn't know that for opening these stalls we need to get a licence. I have been keeping this stall for past few months and no one has asked me about it. I close my stall between 10:30 pm and 11 pm. We do not obstruct traffic flow."

Gopal S, owner of another food stall Aahaa Simple Pure Food, said, "I along with my family sell south Indian food. The number of customers increases during the weekends. The customers are mostly the office-going people and families."

Ravi R, the operator of House of Dosa, however, has a grouse: "It is causing inconvenience to us, as these stalls operate near the shop. My customers frequently complain about the parking. These stalls are just a few minutes away from my shop. People prefer to go there and eat."

Apart from being an eyesore for established eateries, one serious problem that these mobile stalls causes is dumping of food waste. Huge amounts of food waste are dumped by them in GHMC bins, which overflow and cause malodorous smell, complain nearby shopkeepers and residents.

Abhishek D, a student of Loyola Academy and resident of Sainikpuri who visits these stalls regularly, said, "These stalls are near my house. The food here is cheaper than in restaurants and taste almost the same."