The space in front of Mother’s Wax Museum, opposite Eco Park gate No. 2, has been designated as the third community zone in New Town where food trucks are allowed to park and operate after sundown.
The other two food-truck zones identified by the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) are under the Axis Mall flyover and Street No. 106, both in the vicinity of the New Town clock tower.
The space in front of Mother's Wax Museum is about 20 metres long and can accommodate about six food trucks. “Gate No. 2 is one of the busiest gates of Eco Park and has a designated car-parking space. In other ways, too, it is an ideal spot for food trucks to operate peacefully,” said Debashis Sen, the chairman of NKDA and managing director of Hidco.
Two trucks have already started operating from the zone and another one is expected to start operations soon. Like at the other two locations, food trucks are allowed to operate here from 6.30pm to 12 midnight.
According to Sen, the primary reason behinding creating dedicated zones for food trucks is to make the nightlife in New Town vibrant. “Corporate employees and IT professionals often finish their work late at night. So, while returning home, they can stop and eat at any of these places with their friends,” said Sen.
The other two places have become popular hangouts since being opened to food trucks in June. “In addition to IT professionals, local residents go to these places on weekends. Since all these locations are accessible by car and have good parking space, many stop by for food not only from New Town but also from the Salt Lake area. I have been to the spot under the Axis Mall flyover and loved it. We needed such spots in New Town,” said Nairit Duttagupta, a photographer and entrepreneur.
