Pilgrims to Receive Hygienic and Nutritious Food Services at Religious Sites: Prataprao Jadhav Thanks PM Narendra Modi

Buldhana, May 2026 : Under the Central Government’s Food Street Scheme, food street hubs have been approved for Shegaon in the Vidarbha region and Shirdi in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Each of these two religious destinations will receive ₹1 crore in funding, amounting to a total of ₹2 crore, sanctioned by the Central Government.

These food street hubs will be developed as public service facilities to provide safe, hygienic, and quality food to visitors and devotees. The initiative is being implemented jointly by the Union Ministry of Health and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) at 100 locations across the country.

The scheme aims to prevent food-related illnesses and food poisoning caused by unsafe street food practices by enforcing standardized food safety guidelines nationwide. Under this initiative, modern and hygienic “Food Street Hubs” will be developed in prominent religious and public places.

Shegaon, popularly known as the “Pandhari of Vidarbha” and home to Sant Gajanan Maharaj, will see the development of a modern, clean, and health-focused food street at a cost of ₹1 crore. Similarly, a comparable food street hub will be established in Shirdi, the sacred town of Sai Baba.

The Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the development of these food street hubs at both religious sites in Maharashtra. The objective is to ensure that millions of devotees visiting Shegaon and Shirdi have access to safe, nutritious, and quality food services.

In addition to improving public health and hygiene standards, the initiative is also expected to boost employment opportunities for small-scale food vendors and local entrepreneurs operating in these pilgrimage centres.

With the implementation of these hubs, devotees visiting Shegaon and Shirdi will benefit from improved food safety infrastructure and regulated food services, enhancing their overall pilgrimage experience.

Welcoming the decision, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the Food Street Hubs in these two major religious destinations of Maharashtra.

He said the initiative would not only strengthen food safety standards but also support local livelihoods and improve facilities for the large number of pilgrims who visit these sacred places every year.