Once brimming, eateries along NH-44 on verge of closure
KARNAL: Before the coronavirusinduced lockdown, eateries lining the NH-44 used to be brimming with customers but two months of lockdown have left these popular joints on the verge of closure.
The Karnal Haveli, Zhilmil, Mannat, Neelkanth, Divine Star, Dana Pani, The Vivan, Mayur and Fauji Dhaba are just some of the outlets famous for their lipsmacking fares. Commuters would make it a point to stop at these eateries.
The hospitality industry is perhaps one of the worst-hit industries amid the pandemic. Owners say the two-and-a-half month closure has wrecked irreparable damage and that there was little hope of revival.
PROSPECTS LOOK BLEAK: DHABA OWNERS
Mannat Star Dhaba manager Pradeep Rawat says, “We had to send back around 110 employees as there was no possibility of revival over the next six months.”
Though the government has allowed home delivery of edibles, owners of these eateries are reluctant to resume services. They say restaurants and dhabas cannot survive on home delivery of orders, which contribute a meager 5% of their earnings.
Zhilmil Karnal Dhaba manager Surinder Mittal says, “There have been no sales since March 22. We have lost around Rs 1.25 lakh a day during the lockdown.”
Mittal says the dhaba had to reduce its staff strength from 55 to 10 members to keep the eatery afloat. “The dhaba is costing us around Rs 5,000 a day these days, apart from the electricity bill and other fixed expenses,” he said.
The issue was raised before chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar during his recent visit to Karnal. Though, the CM hinted that more relaxations might be given (as per MHA orders) from June 1, dhaba owners were not placated.
HUNDREDS LEFT JOBLESS
The eateries provided employment to hundreds of people, including waiters, cooks, security guards, sweepers and managers, all of whom have been rendered unemployed.
Haryana Hotel and Restaurant Association president and owner of Karnal’s Noormahal and Jewels Hotels Colonel (retd) Manbeer Chaudhary said, “The businesses of thousands of restaurants, hotels and dhabas in the state have collapsed around our ears. The situation is so bleak that many people are planning to sell their properties.”