Sikkim’s first designated Food Street ‘Khau Galli’ inaugurated at Nam Nam Walkway

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK, : Rural Development Minister Arun Upreti on Friday inaugurated ‘Khau Galli’, a dedicated food street developed by the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC) in collaboration with the Health and Urban Development departments. The project, located at the Nam Nam walkway end in Deorali, aligns with the Government of India’s initiative to promote hygienic street food through the establishment of designated food zones.

Funded under the National Health Mission, Government of India, the project cost Rs 1 crore and comprises 20 stalls. The initiative aims to offer clean, traditional food options to both locals and tourists, enhancing the culinary appeal of the capital.

Present at the inauguration were GMC Deputy Mayor Tshering Palden Bhutia, GMC councillors, Urban Development commissioner-cum-secretary J.S. Raje, GMC commissioner R.B. Bhandari, and officials and staff from the Urban Development and GMC departments.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Upreti congratulated all departments involved in the timely completion of the ‘Khau Galli’ project. He also extended his best wishes to the vendors who will operate the stalls, expressing hope that they will showcase traditional Sikkimese delicacies to both residents and visitors.

“Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the State government is actively promoting entrepreneurship as a means to combat unemployment. With the launch of Khau Galli, we are seeing that vision come to life,” Upreti said. He added that the food street would serve as a tranquil spot for citizens and tourists to enjoy local dishes in a clean, natural setting.

Upreti urged the public to support the initiative by visiting the State’s first designated food street and encouraging the local vendors, many of whom are women entrepreneurs.

GMC Deputy Mayor Tshering Pladen Bhutia highlighted that all the stalls have been allotted to women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), empowering them to run their own food businesses. “This project is not just about promoting local cuisine, it supports entrepreneurship, employment, and financial independence among women. It also reflects the Chief Minister’s vision of ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur’,” she said.

Urban Development commissioner-cum-secretary Jitendra Singh Raje emphasized the collaborative efforts of the Central and State governments in bringing the ‘Khau Galli’ to fruition. As envisioned by the Chief Minister, all 20 stalls have been allotted to women SHGs to promote women-led enterprises, he said.We also aim to make this zone a plastic-free and prominent tourist destination with full support from the authorities, he added.

Earlier, GMC commissioner R.B. Bhandari also addressed the inaugural session.

The event was attended by officials and staff from the Urban Development department, Health department, GMC, and local residents of Arithang and Deorali.