Amma Canteens Demolished in Chennai Amid Monsoon Preparedness

As part of monsoon preparedness in Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation has closed down 14 Amma Canteens in various zones of the city, reducing the total number from 407 to 393. The AIADMK government had originally established 407 Amma Canteens within the Corporation limits. The latest Amma Canteen set for demolition is located on Thyagaraya Road in Ward 117.

Residents in the area are expressing concerns about the closure, urging the authorities to improve facilities in other nearby canteens. Daily wage laborers, who heavily rely on these canteens, are affected by the closures and are now required to visit other canteens in the vicinity for their meals. For example, M. Muthu, a daily wage laborer in T. Nagar, stated that he would have to travel to a different Amma Canteen after the one near Mambalam Canal is demolished.

There have been reports of a decline in the number of visitors at the canteens and a decrease in the quality of food. Some workers at the canteen revealed that the number of visitors has reduced from over 500 to less than 200 per day, and the staff has been reduced from 32 to 9. As the closures continue, residents and workers are calling on the Corporation to address the deteriorating food quality and explore the reasons behind these developments.