Automatic pani puri vending machine goes viral

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: An automatic Pani Puri vending machine in Bengaluru's HSR Layout has taken the internet by storm after a user shared an image on social media.

While such vending machines and kiosks are not uncommon in Bengaluru, the clever name of this particular stall has captured online attention.

Benedict shared a photo on X (formerly Twitter) of a Pani Puri stall equipped with a vending machine labelled “WTF - What The Flavours.” The machine features multiple taps of flavoured water for the puris, allowing customers to choose their preferred flavours.

Benedict captioned the photo, “HSR living in 2050,” highlighting the futuristic feel of the setup. Despite its popularity, some users expressed concerns about the machine's hygiene and functionality.

One user questioned, “So that pani puri liquid that overflows... does it get recycled or drained?” Another commented, “Too clinical, isn’t enticing in my opinion. Can do better if some good visual design is applied.”

The attention to hygiene in the Pani Puri vending is particularly relevant in Karnataka, where street food safety has been scrutinised.