The students of Vadodara Municipal Corporation-run schools relished pulao and thepla on Thursday as the civic body inaugurated its new service of mechanised kitchen for them.

The VMC has taken this initiative in collaboration with Akshaya Patra, an NGO, which has built a mechanised kitchen in the Makarpura area at the cost of Rs 4.26 crore.

The trust will be funded for three years by as many companies, including Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL),

Gujarat State Fertilisers and Chemicals (GSFC), and Gujarat Industries Power Company Ltd (GIPCL).

Calling it a “revolution”, City Mayor Balkrishna Shukla said at the inaugural function that the quality of the food and its nutritious value “will not be compromised”.

While the function saw protest from the mid-day meal workers on their removal from duty, the mayor announced they would be given jobs as per their qualifications.

The new scheme comes with a revised menu where the students will be served with a variety of food items like thepla, bhakhri, idli, dhokla, daal, rice, and vegetable among others in their lunch.

Mishap in kitchen
The launch was preceded by a mishap in the kitchen where a worker’s fingers were severed in the roti-maker. The incident occurred an hour before the van containing food for the students was to be dispatched.

The victim, Bhailal Chavda (45), was rushed to the Sir Sayajirao General Hospital (SSGH) at 10:55 where he underwent a surgery.