The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) officials in coordination with the city police on Friday (September 19, 2025) began clearing food trucks from the popular night food court area on Old Jail Road, triggering protests and sit-ins against GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and the State government.
While few food truck vendors voluntarily packed up and vacated the area, the others were forcibly removed using heavy vehicles. The atmosphere remained tense as several food truck owners and workers clashed with the police and Town Planning officials.
The authorities claimed that the removal was taken up following a number of complaints, including traffic congestions, sanitation issues and the unchecked increase in food trucks operating without permissions, from the public over the past two years. The Town Planning officials said that while initial permission had been granted to around 50 food trucks during its opening in 2020, the number had now surged to approximately 240, of which many are operating illegally.
Food truck vendors vacating the area after the GVMC begins evictions from the Night Food Court area at Old Jail Road in Visakhapatnam on Friday. | Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK
