GCC’s first food court in Adyar to open in two months

Chennai: Foodies will soon get a new place to hang out in the city. Greater Chennai Corporation’s first ever food court, coming up on Indira Nagar 3rd Avenue in Adyar, will be opened to the public within the next two months.

The project is being executed at an estimated cost of ₹4.24 crore. Modelled on the food court concept adopted by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), the facility will accommodate around 30 shops and include dedicated parking spaces. The civic body demolished a portion of an existing shopping complex owned by the corporation that had remained unused. “We recently commenced the foundation work for the food court, and the it is progressing at full pace. The project is expected to be completed within the next two months,” said a senior GCC official. The corporation is constructing 30 shops, with smaller units measuring 110 sqft and larger units measuring 220 sqft.

The food court will have parking facility for 20 two- wheelers and 16 cars, along with a common dining area for visitors. The corporation has opted for a revenue-sharing model under which the entire facility will be leased to a single operator instead of renting out individual shops directly to brands or franchises. The operator will subsequently sublet the 30 stalls to various food and beverage outlets.

“Instead of leasing each shop separately, we have decided to lease the entire food court to a single operator, who will then sublet the stalls to different branded outlets. We believe this model will ensure better management of the facility and generate higher revenue for the corporation,” the official said.

“The area gets crowded during evenings, and many people currently eat on the roadside. A planned food court can help organize street food vendors and offer a better experience for customers,” said K Hari Kumar, a resident of Adyar.

Based on public response, the civic body is expected to consider establishing similar facilities in other parts of the city.