Samridhi@Kochi opens outlet in Fort Kochi

Samridhi@Kochi, a budget hotel jointly run by Kochi Corporation and Kudumbashree Ernakulam District Mission, has opened its fourth outlet in Fort Kochi.

Kochi MLA KJ Maxy inaugurated the new store in the building next to Fort Kochi Ro-Ro jetty on Tuesday afternoon. Mayor M. Anilkumar presided over the event. The flagship store, which was launched in October 2021, now serves as a central kitchen on Paramara Road in North Ernakulam. It has expanded its service to Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), Cochin Shipyard Limited and Railways. The venture’s flagship dishes will be available at the new store for ₹20 and more items will be gradually added to the menu.

Samridhi@Kochi has also become a major employer of women. Mr. Anilkumar said that the project, which started with 14 Kudumbashree members, now employs more than 200 women. Women associated with Samridhi receive a minimum monthly salary of ₹20,000; this salary can go up to ₹40,000–₹45,000 depending on grade and allowances.

Training of staff

Food initially prepared at the main store on Paramara Road will be transported to the Fort Kochi store for service. Finally, cooking will begin at the new location. Training for staff has been completed.

When Samridhi@Kochi started in 2021, it was offering meals for 10 Indian rupees and the State government was providing an additional 10 Indian rupees as subsidy. Even though the subsidy was discontinued in August 2023, meals continue to be sold at ₹20 despite the increase in prices of essential food items. This has been made possible by adding more affordable items to the menu, which allows for cross-subsidization.