Food outlets to come up inside monuments during Games

In a major policy shift, food outlets will be allowed to set up inside some monuments to attract and facilitate visitors during the Commonwealth Games.

In a major policy shift, food outlets will be allowed to set up inside some monuments to attract and facilitate visitors during the Commonwealth Games.

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"We are allowing cafeterias at Red Fort, Purana Qila, Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar and Jantar Mantar," a senior ASI official said, adding, "the tendering process to lease out space inside monuments is to begin shortly."

Though a total of 13 monuments are being illuminated for the Games, only five will be allowed to have eating joints during the sporting event.

However, the official said that no cooking will be allowed in the cafeteria and only packed food, tea, coffee and cold drink vends will be permitted.

Till now, food outlets were not allowed inside monuments which are considered to be restricted areas.

The structures inside monuments are to be temporary in nature with only "reversible materials" to be used for the food outlets, the official said.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Games, 'Dawat Khana', a multi-cuisine restaurant run by ITDC, has already started functioning at Red Fort to serve visitors to the monument.

ITDC, which is responsible for illuminating monuments during the Games, is offering sumptuous food besides light and sound show at Red Fort.

The ticket rate for the show including the food will be decided shortly.

The light and sound show at Red Fort has already been modified, making it more compact. Besides Red Fort, ITDC will be conducting light and sound show at Purana Qila and Quli Khan Tomb.