As Odisha grapples with intense summer heat and rising temperature, small roadside food stalls run by tribal women at Kota Junction in Koraput district have emerged as a popular halt for travellers seeking refreshments while generating livelihoods for local communities.

Located in the Boipariguda area, Kota Junction serves as a key link connecting Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. With soaring temperature making travel difficult, visitors are increasingly stopping at the junction to enjoy fresh local produce and traditional snacks prepared by tribal women.

Refreshments Draw Travellers During Heatwave

Watermelon, cucumber, roasted corn, fresh fruit salad, masala curd and hot jalebis are among the items attracting travellers passing through the route.

The stalls, operated from small huts by women from nearby villages, offer food prepared in a traditional style using locally available ingredients.

One traveller said the roadside stop had become a welcome break during the journey.

“We were travelling and stopped to have the mixed fruit salad. It gives us an opportunity to rest during the journey while also supporting local communities, especially the women running these stalls,” the traveller said.

Livelihood Opportunities For Tribal Women

For many tribal women, the stalls have become an important source of income during the summer season.

Brunda Gouda, who runs one of the stalls, said a wide variety of fruits and refreshments are sold throughout the day.

“We sell different items including pineapple, yoghurt, cucumber, papaya, dragon fruit and watermelon. We start work at 8 am and continue until 7 pm. If there is sufficient footfall, we can earn nearly Rs 4,000 in a day,” she said.

Dhanei Khumuntu, another tribal entrepreneur, said roasted corn remained one of the most popular items among travellers.

“I have been selling roasted corn here for the past four years. It has become a good source of income for me,” she said.

Also Read: No relief yet! Heatwave conditions to continue across Odisha till May 26, says IMD

The growing popularity of the stalls has not only provided travellers with fresh refreshments during the scorching summer but has also created sustainable livelihood opportunities for local tribal families.