Mapusa: The street food hub near Alankar theater in Mapusa will soon be converted into a food court. In a joint meeting held on Friday, officials of the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), food and drugs administration (FDA), and local stall owners finalised a blueprint to transition the existing dilapidated stalls into a modern, hygienic food court by Oct 2026.The initiative follows repeated FDA raids in the area that exposed severe drainage issues, unsanitary storage, chemical misuse, and a lack of water certifications.Under the new redevelopment plan, the entire zone will be concreted to support uniform, well-equipped vending platforms. To ensure strict hygiene, the administration has completely banned the cutting of raw chicken on-site. The vendors will only be permitted to bring in processed or ready-to-cook ingredients. Additionally, the FDA has made statutory food licensing mandatory for all operators, prompting vendors to fast-track pending clearances.The revamped square will feature public amenities, including modern washrooms, and dedicated handwashing facilities designed to create a family-friendly dining experience.To facilitate the construction, the municipality will soon announce a temporary closure schedule for the existing stalls.“Redevelopment and facelifting of the Alankar area will be done. It will be a completely new facility for eateries with hygienic washrooms, and handwash facilities. It will be a friendly food court, a family space,” said Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza.“We have taken the FDA, MMC, and all stakeholders on board to provide clean and quality food to citizens and tourists,” the MLA said.
Under the new redevelopment plan, the entire zone will be concreted to support uniform, well-equipped vending platforms
