Koraput, May 22: Amid intense summer heat in Odisha, small roadside food stalls run by tribal women at Kota Junction in Koraput district have become a popular stop for travellers seeking relief and refreshments, while also supporting local livelihoods.
Located in the Boipariguda region, Kota Junction is an important connectivity point linking Odisha with Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. As temperatures rise, increasing numbers of travellers are stopping here to enjoy locally prepared snacks and fresh produce offered by women from nearby villages.
The stalls serve a variety of seasonal items such as watermelon, cucumber, roasted corn, fresh fruit salads, masala curd, and jalebis. Prepared using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients, these refreshments have become a welcome break for long-distance travellers.
Many visitors say the stop not only helps them cope with the heat but also gives them an opportunity to support rural women entrepreneurs.
For the women running these stalls, the initiative has become an important source of income during the summer months. Vendors report steady sales throughout the day, with earnings improving during peak travel hours.
One of the vendors shared that a wide range of fruits and snacks are sold daily, helping sustain household income. Another stall owner noted that roasted corn remains one of the most popular items among travellers and has provided her with a stable livelihood over the years.
