Chennai: Residents must wait until 2027 to access the Greater Chennai Corporation’s first-ever food court on Indira Nagar 3rd Avenue, Adyar. Work on the facility, expected to open during Pongal this year, is progressing slowly, and only 40 percent is complete after more than a year.The Corporation demolished part of an unused shopping complex it owned. Foundation and structural work for the food court began earlier this year and is estimated to cost ₹4.24 crore. The Corporation is constructing 30 shops, with smaller units measuring 110sqft and larger units measuring 220 sqft.The food court was announced on July 7, 2025, and was expected to open to the public by Pongal 2026. Later, it was postponed to Aug. However, the project has progressed at a snail’s pace. The Chennai Corporation officials blamed the 2026 election and the subsequent change in govt for the delay.“The structural work on the shops is expected to be completed by December. However, as we have opted for a revenue-sharing model under the public-private partnership (PPP), the entire facility will be leased to a single operator instead of renting out individual shops directly to brands or franchises. The tendering process is expected to begin in Jan 2027,” said a senior GCC official.The PPP model is expected to ensure better management of the facility and generate higher revenue for the Corporation. The food court will also have parking facilities for 20 two-wheelers and 16 cars, along with a common dining area for visitors.Based on the public response to the project, the civic body is expected to start food courts in other parts of the city to generate additional revenue.
