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Anna Canteens a lifeline for Vizag low-income workers
Visakhapatnam: Anna Canteens in Visakhapatnam have emerged as a major success since their relaunch in Sep last year. As of July 2025, nearly 65 lakh meals have been served across the 25 canteens in the city, where meals are offered at a nominal price of Rs 5.
About 24,950 people dine at these canteens daily.
Located near high-traffic areas and hospitals, the canteens have become a key support system for daily wage workers, low-income employees, and unemployed youth preparing for competitive exams in the city. They are also a boon for the floating population, especially those visiting Vizag for medical or other short-term purposes, who would otherwise spend about Rs 100 per meal even at modest restaurants.
Launched by the previous TDP govt in 2018 as part of a state-wide welf
are effort, the scheme was discontinued in 2019 by the YSRCP govt after it came to power in the state. As promised in its 2024 election manifesto, the TDP-led NDA govt revived the scheme soon after returning to power. In Visakhapatnam, 25 canteens reopened under the program, with Rs 3.3 crore allocated for their renovation.
Before their initial rollout in 2018, the govt had sent a delegation of civic officials to study the operations of Amma Canteens in Chennai and Annapurna Canteens in Hyderabad.
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The visit helped shape the guidelines and operational framework for Andhra Pradesh's own version of subsidised canteens.
GVMC mayor P Srinivasa Rao said about 65 lakh meals have been served through these canteens in just nine months. "People have expressed satisfaction with the quality of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. GVMC officials, along with the commissioner, are regularly monitoring operations and collecting public feedback to ensure efficient service," said the mayor.
Local vendor Dukka Suribabu, who sells fruits near MVP Rythu Bazaar, said he often eats at the nearby Anna Canteen. "Offering a meal at just Rs 5 is a huge help for people like us who can't afford restaurant prices. Even roadside eateries in MVP Colony charge no less than Rs 60 for a basic meal," said Suribabu.
An electronic token system is in place to manage meal distribution. Beneficiaries must present Aadhaar credentials for token issuance.
In the absence of Aadhaar card, fingerprints or facial recognition data are collected for future records. Each canteen spans approximately 750 square feet and is designed to serve food to at least 350 people at a time.
The canteens serve three idlis, chutney, and sambar as breakfast from 7:30 am to 10 am three days a week, and puri or pongal with kurma on the remaining days. Lunch is served from 12 pm to 3 pm, and dinner from 7:30 pm to 9 pm, which include rice, curry, dal, sambar, curd, and chutney. Special rice is served once a week. The canteens remain closed on Sundays.
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