What happened
The Government of India has approved a Street Food Hub at Lakhanpur in Kathua district under PM SVANidhi. According to the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Lakhanpur is among the first approved towns under the initiative.
The project is intended to create organised and hygienic vending spaces, improve the visitor experience, and provide dignified and sustainable livelihoods for street vendors. The location is important because Lakhanpur is the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir from Pathankot and lies on the route to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
Scheme design and funding
Under PM SVANidhi, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs proposes to establish up to 50 Street Food Hubs. The scheme gives preference to towns and cities with tourism potential, cultural and heritage significance, distinctive local food traditions, and convergence with Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and UNESCO Creative Cities.
Each approved project receives ₹4 crore in three instalments: 30% first, 50% second, and 20% after completion. Cities that have notified their Street Vending Plan receive an incentive of ₹25 lakh. Technical support is provided through Centres of Excellence for Urban Planning and AMRUT-funded Centres of Planning.
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