Operation Lungs: Removal of Street food stalls across Vizag

On September 19, 2025, the Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation (GVMC) carried out Operation Lungs in Vizag,  ordering the removal of street food stalls across various locations in Vizag, particularly around Old Jail Road. The reason cited was the unauthorised occupation of these stalls and heavy traffic congestion around these roads due to the crowded food stalls. A major concern was also the health hazards these food stalls posed. Inspection by safety teams revealed that the stalls were selling unhygienic and unsafe food; with no proper maintenance or protocol.

Sources said legal notices were sent to vendors two weeks before the action. Town Planning officials noted that an initial permit for 50 food trucks grew to over 160, with most of them being illegal. They said that the removal was followed by  complaints about unsanitary practices and traffic bottlenecks.

A Town Planning Official mentioned that the removal of unauthorised food trucks was supposed to happen about a year ago, while also assuring that vendors with permits would get relocated to different locations.  

Local MLA Ch. Vamsi Krishna, who stated to be unaware of this decision,  spoke against this move, by GVMC, during the Assembly Session He condemned the act and called for measures to be taken in favour of the food vendors.

“If poor people suddenly lose their business and livelihood, they will directly blame the government, not the mayor or the commissioner. When cities like Hyderabad and Vijayawada can run such facilities that provide affordable food to commoners and middle-class people, why should a city like Visakhapatnam be deprived of such food courts?” he said.

He further added that since Vizag is rapidly growing and will soon emerge as an IT Hub. The city would need more such food courts like the one in Old Jail Road. The MLA urged  GVMC to immediately undo what they have done and provide the vendors with ID Cards and rent relief.  

While some vendors obeyed the orders of the Town Planning officials and voluntarily removed themselves, other vendors clashed with the police and Town Planning officials.

GVMC and Town Planning officials claim that they had sent prior notices, however some vendors have  strongly denied it. A vendor also stated that around 500 families were dependent on these food courts.​

The Food Court in Old Jail Road did make a name for itself among Vizag’s food lovers, but there are several crucial challenges that they face::

1. Unhygienic conditions and poor maintenance: According to reports, GVMC received volumes of complaints regarding the poor handling of edibles and the unclean maintenance of the food trucks and stalls, which pose a severe hazard to our health and well-being, with many vendors not even practicing the basic protocol, like wearing gloves or a head cover. The quality of the cooking oil is also questionable with several big hotels admitting to selling their used oil to street vendors.
2. Filthy locations and surroundings: It has been noticed that most food stalls are situated in places with filth, garbage, and running sewage in the surroundings, exposing the edibles to a dangerously close proximity to the toxic waste.
3. Lack of proper sanitation and disposal: Many have noted that most street food trucks and stalls do not have arrangements for the disposal of the waste they generate, thereby inviting flies and insects to contaminate the food.

While GVMC has taken the necessary steps to tackle the issues caused due to the unauthorised food trucks and food stalls, it is also essential to impose laws that protect both consumers and vendors from such hazards and economic imbalance, and to ensure the regular and strict exercise of the rules imposed.