Patna: Plans to develop a street vending zone along Patna’s JP Ganga Path have been significantly revised, with authorities now proposing a cluster of branded food cafes in place of the earlier model of small vendor stalls.
Under the new proposal, around 85 food outlets—described as “food cafes”—will be established along the footpath stretch near the Digha roundabout. The project is being undertaken jointly by the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Patna Smart City Limited (PSCL), which have begun preparations afresh after scrapping the previous plan.
The earlier initiative had seen around 200 street vending stalls installed along the riverfront corridor last month. However, the plan was withdrawn following concerns over design, congestion and sanitation. Officials said the new model would focus on structured, branded outlets expected to maintain higher standards of hygiene and waste management under contractual obligations.
Authorities plan to invite major companies from the food, restaurant and hospitality sectors to operate the cafes. Tenders are expected to be issued shortly.
The shift also reflects a broader push by PSCL to develop revenue-generating assets. According to officials, rental costs for each outlet could reach at least Rs 1 lakh. The site is also expected to include seating arrangements and improved parking facilities aimed at managing visitor flow and preventing traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, the civic body is working on a parallel plan to rehabilitate existing street vendors. The PMC has identified locations for 32 vending zones across the city, particularly in areas affected by roadside encroachment. Vendors displaced from the Digha roundabout stretch have been offered alternative spaces, including along Atal Path.
The Ganga Path vending zone was originally conceived under the Smart City project, with a plan to construct 500 stalls. Of these, 200 had already been built before the proposal was reconsidered.
Officials said the revised approach aims to balance urban aesthetics, traffic management and revenue generation, while ensuring that vending activities continue in designated zones elsewhere in the city.
