Shimla: The Centre has approved 18 street food hub projects, including the one proposed for Manali, across India under the PM SVANidhi scheme.The food hub for Manali will be designed by the faculty from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Hamirpur.The initiative was launched by Union housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Oct 25 at the National Urban Conclave 2026 in Bhubaneswar. It aims to provide organised, hygienic and well-designed vending spaces to improve street food vendors’ livelihoods and enhance urban amenities.More than 150 proposals were received from cities and towns nationwide, of which 18 were selected after evaluation. Dr Amanjeet Kaur of NIT Hamirpur’s department of architecture provided design and technical consultancy for the Manali project.The hub is expected to offer vendors functional and hygienic spaces while complementing Manali’s identity as a major tourist destination.Prof H M Suryavanshi, director, NIT Hamirpur, appreciated the contribution, highlighting NIT Hamirpur’s role in national development initiatives.
