`10 Veg Biryani a relief and relish to Afzal Gunj commuters

Afzalgunj: The Veg Biryani served hot near Afzal Gunj bus depot is a relief and relish to the commuters who travel regularly through this route. Given high prices in most of the restaurants, this Rs 10 Vegetable Biryani comes as better option for those who does not want to spend time and money in big hotels.

This 10-year-old stall is being run by Iftekhar Momin, a resident of Talab Katta and proud owner of Veg Biryani stall at Afzal Gunj Bus Depot. He began the stall by selling a plate of this Veg Biryani for just Rs 5 and it now costs Rs 10. He sells it from early mornings from 6 am till 11 pm in the night. With the ingredients green peas, carrots, potato, fenugreek (methi) prepared along with sona masoori rice, this delicacy in the form of raw material costs around Rs 40 per kg. “We prepared around 60 kgs of biryani in four large containers and daily about 1500 plates are sold with just a margin of Rs 1,” said Iftekhar.  

This business runs in a less of margin with a high selling. Other three stalls are being run with a same customer response near Osmania General Hospital, Near Women's College, Kothi and one near GPO Abids. This Veg Biryani is savored by customers who include poor people, students, RTC staff and other commuters who are waiting for buses. Also at Osmania Hospital not only patient’s attendants but also nurses are seen enjoying the delicacy during the day time. While some of them also give bulk orders to the staff for any programs or events. 

“Whenever I don’t bring tiffin box I eat this biryani during lunch hours. Similar veg biryani costs at least Rs 40 in hotels or restaurants,” said K Raju, a student. Even as the GHMC has come up with Rs 5 meals programme, some of them prefer to have Veg Biryani as it is more tastier that the normal dal rice. “Even though the government started the program with good intention, but slowly the quality particularly of dal has gone down, it is like water now,” says a scrap collector. Amongst the RTC staff, Shaik Zahed, a bus driver is amongst the regular patrons who are regularly having this Veg biryani during afternoons. “Rs 10 biryani provides succor at least a few hours, as nothing better is available here,” he points out.

BY M M Farooqui