Chennai: Amma Unavagams promise a square meal to anyone who walks in, but several infrastructure issues continue to plague the dining experience. With the northeast monsoon approaching and the city having only 111 community kitchens, Chennai is expected to rely heavily on Amma Unavagams to provide food during emergencies and floods.TOI visited Amma Unavagams across the city, focusing on the quality of food and raw material, the condition of premises and utensils, kitchen equipment, and workers’ attitude towards customers. It found ageing kitchen equipment, broken washbasins, inadequate cooking utensils, gaps in drinking-water facilities, and poorly maintained premises. Stray dogs, cats and rodents were seen at some outlets, while damaged or missing tables forced customers to sit on the floor at some locations.At Velachery, one of the two entrances opens directly onto an exposed drain, and the stench greets visitors. “We know that it is unhygienic. We have raised the issue with officials. They assured us that it would be fixed, but the drain remains exposed,” a staff member at Velachery said.Amma Unavagams also grapple with old and poorly maintained equipment. At Kodambakkam, staff said they were using an old gas stove, while a grinder had remained faulty for months. Exhaust fans were not functioning, and there were not enough cooking utensils. “There is no RO facility. We don’t get Metrowater. We only use borewell water. At least we need a water filter,” a staff member said.The condition of the premises was another concern. At West Mambalam, the cooking area was old, with clothes hanging around, corroded walls and worn-out exhaust fans. “The place can be cleaner,” said Ilango M, who was eating curry leaf rice in West Mambalam. “When I see food spilt around while I am eating, it is unpleasant. The place must be maintained better,” he said.Outlets in Triplicane had dim interiors, while stray dogs, leaky washbasins and a lack of tables forced people to sit on the floor at Saidapet. While most customers said the taste and quality of the food were satisfactory, they wanted more variety and raised concerns about consistency. “Both the sambar served in the morning and the dal served at night with chapati are watery. Instead, they can give chutney,” said Syed Hyzat, an auto driver in Perambur.Requests for chutney, pickle, vada and vegetables were common. “People ask for chutney with idlis. They are ready to pay more. They also ask for vegetables on the side or pickle. These are not things we can decide on our own; we need approval from higher authorities,” a staff member in Perambur said.The canteens continue to serve students as well as workers. Karthikeyan P, an undergraduate student staying at a private hostel near Kodambakkam, said he preferred the canteen food to that served at his hostel. “I don’t like the food served at our hostel. I have fallen sick after eating it. I prefer Amma Unavagam food. I have not fallen sick eating here,” he said. He said a permanent drinking-water facility at all canteens would benefit both customers and passers-by. ORS and nilavembu kudineer are occasionally distributed at some outlets, he said.Auto driver Amburos A said the standards seen during occasional inspections by political leaders and officials should be maintained every day. “When higher officers visit, they make sure the place is clean and the food quality is good. The same standards must be maintained for the public every day,” he said. “Amma Unavagam is best for all. It should be maintained well,” he said.When contacted, Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner G S Sameeran said the GCC has earmarked ₹10.82 crore for identified works across zones. A total of 324 renovation works, including 65 major and 259 minor projects, have been identified.He said essential equipment such as RO plants, freezers, weighing machines, grinders and exhaust fans would be procured at a cost of ₹1.96 crore. A circular was issued to all zones on Sept 29 to begin the procurement process. He added that additional LPG cylinders would be procured for use during emergencies before the northeast monsoon.
