Nagpur Expert to Plan Rs 3 Crore Mantralaya Canteen Revamp The Maharashtra government has approved a 3 crore rupees overhaul of kitchens at Mumbai’s Mantralaya canteen, with a Nagpur-based expert playing a pivotal role in planning the modernization project. The decision comes amid a statewide hygiene crackdown led by Maharashtra FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe and subsequent scrutiny of government canteens by the Bombay high court. The approval, granted on August 14, includes administrative and financial clearance for upgrading both the main Mantralaya Canteen and the Square Meal Canteen in the annexe. Of the total budget, 64.96 lakh rupees is allocated for civil works, while 2.36 crore rupees is earmarked for electrical, exhaust, and allied infrastructure. Prashant Virkhare, head of Tourism at Govt Polytechnic in Nagpur, was appointed as the technical adviser for the project. Virkhare conducted five site visits to the Mumbai canteen to analyze its existing conditions and draft recommendations. He stated that the team completed layout planning, civil-related proposals, and submitted the final report to the state government for approval. According to records, the department lacked the technical manpower to execute the modernization, prompting the appointment of Virkhare. He inspected both canteens before submitting his report on June 18, highlighting critical gaps in the existing infrastructure. The proposed upgrades include structural repairs, waterproof flooring and walls, stainless-steel modular equipment, energy-efficient systems, mechanical exhaust and HVAC installations, improved washing and sanitization facilities, fly-proof screens, and hand-washing arrangements.#maharashtra_government #tukaram_mundhe #mantralaya_canteen #square_meal_canteen #prashant_virkhare
