The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has initiated a project to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner to 29,455 sanitation workers across its North, Central and South regions.
This follows the announcement made by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on August 14, 2025, after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, stating that local bodies would provide free breakfast to sanitation staff to address difficulties faced by workers who start early morning duties.
The total cost for the three-year project is ₹180.27 crore, funded under the 6th State Finance Commission Grant Fund provided to the GCC. The scheme covers permanent workers, Nominal Muster Roll (NMR) workers, Self Help Group members, and sanitation staff employed through private agencies.
It includes those engaged in solid waste management, malaria and dengue control, toilet maintenance, and crematorium operations. Meals will be distributed at 512 points across the city every day, covering 285 locations for lunch, 61 for dinner and 166 for breakfast, matching the schedules of sanitation workers in all three shifts, the GCC said in a statement.
Food will be provided through FSSAI-certified kitchens, with meals distributed at designated points corresponding to worker shifts. Breakfast will be served between 5.30 a.m. and 6.30 a.m., lunch from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m., and dinner from 9.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
The project includes the appointment of a Project Management Consultant (PMC) to monitor kitchen operations, raw materials, food quality, and hygiene. Vehicles used for transporting meals will be cleaned and sanitised daily to ensure safe distribution.
Published – November 03, 2025 12:26 am IST
