The ambience makes this Annapurna eatery in Hyderabad stand out!

Hyderabad: When one thinks that the Annapurna canteen has become a boon to the city’s poor, the first thing that comes to mind is a small stall surrounded by daily wage earners standing eating.

However, Annapurna Canteen in Madhapur differs in design and is popular among students, IT staff, private employees, car/taxi drivers and security staff working in and around the city’s IT centres.

Just like other Annapurna canteens, the Madhapur facility also offers hot and hygienic meals at Rs 5, but the ambience and crowd here make it different from other canteens located in different parts of the city. Seating facilities, standing desks and rooftops make dining here more comfortable, and people from all walks of life other than daily wage workers flock to it. Food is served here from 11.30am to around 2.30pm, with an average of 800 plates served per day.

Meanwhile, seeing the popularity of the place, some street vendors started selling Indian snacks, including papad, onion rings, etc., and many people enjoyed their lunch alongside these snacks. The Annapurna meal consists of rice, vegetable curry, sambar and kimchi. Several people who dined at this canteen can be seen paying an extra 5 rupees and ordering an extra bowl of rice.

Painter G Narasimha thanked the state government for the Annapurna canteen, saying the meals here are a boon for many like him. “Only Annapurna canteens can get freshly cooked, hygienic and tasty meals for 5 rupees in a decent place in Hyderabad. These canteens are a blessing to the poor, many like me People rely on them every day,” he said.

This initiative – Telangana Government’s Annapurna Food Programme has been implemented in conjunction with Hare Krishna Sports Charity Foundation and encouraged by Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao to ensure it is available at a very affordable price of Rs 5 Healthy meals. Annapurna Canteen is run by officials of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).