Bengalis in Pune missed Kolkata biryani so much, they flew in 1,500 boxes from their favourite restaurants
The organisers first approached Arsalan to check whether the restaurant could prepare and pack the biryani for air transport.
- Nov 9, 2026,
- Updated Nov 9, 2026 2:29 PM IST
A group of Bengalis in Pune has been bringing biryani from popular Kolkata restaurants to the city by air, delivering more than 1,500 boxes since the initiative began in April, The Times of India reported on Monday.
The initiative was started by volunteers from the Bengalis in Pune Facebook group after members began asking for biryani from specific Kolkata restaurants. The group first arranged 300 packets from Arsalan and has since expanded the operation to around 800 packets per drive.
For many Bengalis in Pune, finding Kolkata-style biryani is not enough. They often want the taste of a particular restaurant, with establishments such as Arsalan, Mezban and Dada Boudi having their own distinctive flavours.
"The taste we want is not something we can get at any of the restaurants here, unfortunately. So, we decided to take the initiative for the community." Bose said, adding, "The arrangement is straightforward. One can place advance orders and pay only actual costs of packaging and transportation, with no profit margin added."
How the deliveries work
The organisers first approached Arsalan to check whether the restaurant could prepare and pack the biryani for air transport. After gauging interest within the community in April, they arranged a pilot delivery of 300 packets with a vendor. The response encouraged them to expand the operation.
They subsequently approached IndiGo-authorised cargo vendors to negotiate rates and eventually began coordinating directly with the airline's cargo operation.
Don't Miss: Ordering food on a train? IRCTC warns passengers about these unauthorised websites and apps
The restaurant prepares and packs the food before handing the consignment to the authorised cargo team at Kolkata airport. The organisers book the shipment and pay the applicable charges, with a late-night flight bringing the consignment to Pune early the next morning.
"Perishable food requires particular care during transit. We tell the restaurants to give it in flight packing, for which they use airtight containers," said Roy.
"We also ask them to remove the potatoes from the biryani and pack them separately. This helps prevent excess moisture from affecting the rice and meat during the journey," he added.
"The packed food is placed in dedicated thermocol boxes, which are sealed to retain freshness," said Roy.
From 300 to 800 packets
Weekend deliveries make the logistics easier. Orders are collected in advance and finalised by Saturday, allowing volunteers to coordinate the Sunday distribution.
"Some volunteers, including those based in Dhanori, collect the consignment from Pune airport before dividing it by area. Our network then delivers the boxes to customers across locations including Hadapsar and Dhanori," said Bose.
"From the initial 300 packets, the operation has grown to around 800 packets per drive," he added.
"On Aug 22, the team organised a Dada Boudi biryani delivery, followed by another drive around Mahalaya (Oct 10)," said Bose.
Bengali sweets also brought to Pune
The initiative has since expanded to Bengali sweets from Girish Chandra Dey and Nakur Chandra Nandy, popularly known as Girish-Nakur. Founded in 1844, the Kolkata establishment is renowned for its jolbhora sandesh, filled with liquid date palm jaggery.
"We brought more than 200kg of sweets, including jolbhora, aam sandesh, mousumi and chandrapuli, to Pune for Mahalaya." said Roy.
The volunteers coordinate directly with the establishments to maintain quality, with restaurant representatives overseeing consignments before dispatch.
"An anticipated delivery of hilsa, however, could not be finalised because the fish was unavailable in the Kolkata markets. Our aim is to make specific Kolkata favourites accessible to Bengalis in Pune without adding a commercial margin or compromising on quality," said Arun Chakraborty, admin of the Bengalis in Pune Facebook group.
A group of Bengalis in Pune has been bringing biryani from popular Kolkata restaurants to the city by air, delivering more than 1,500 boxes since the initiative began in April, The Times of India reported on Monday.
The initiative was started by volunteers from the Bengalis in Pune Facebook group after members began asking for biryani from specific Kolkata restaurants. The group first arranged 300 packets from Arsalan and has since expanded the operation to around 800 packets per drive.
For many Bengalis in Pune, finding Kolkata-style biryani is not enough. They often want the taste of a particular restaurant, with establishments such as Arsalan, Mezban and Dada Boudi having their own distinctive flavours.
"The taste we want is not something we can get at any of the restaurants here, unfortunately. So, we decided to take the initiative for the community." Bose said, adding, "The arrangement is straightforward. One can place advance orders and pay only actual costs of packaging and transportation, with no profit margin added."
How the deliveries work
The organisers first approached Arsalan to check whether the restaurant could prepare and pack the biryani for air transport. After gauging interest within the community in April, they arranged a pilot delivery of 300 packets with a vendor. The response encouraged them to expand the operation.
They subsequently approached IndiGo-authorised cargo vendors to negotiate rates and eventually began coordinating directly with the airline's cargo operation.
Don't Miss: Ordering food on a train? IRCTC warns passengers about these unauthorised websites and apps
The restaurant prepares and packs the food before handing the consignment to the authorised cargo team at Kolkata airport. The organisers book the shipment and pay the applicable charges, with a late-night flight bringing the consignment to Pune early the next morning.
"Perishable food requires particular care during transit. We tell the restaurants to give it in flight packing, for which they use airtight containers," said Roy.
"We also ask them to remove the potatoes from the biryani and pack them separately. This helps prevent excess moisture from affecting the rice and meat during the journey," he added.
"The packed food is placed in dedicated thermocol boxes, which are sealed to retain freshness," said Roy.
From 300 to 800 packets
Weekend deliveries make the logistics easier. Orders are collected in advance and finalised by Saturday, allowing volunteers to coordinate the Sunday distribution.
"Some volunteers, including those based in Dhanori, collect the consignment from Pune airport before dividing it by area. Our network then delivers the boxes to customers across locations including Hadapsar and Dhanori," said Bose.
"From the initial 300 packets, the operation has grown to around 800 packets per drive," he added.
"On Aug 22, the team organised a Dada Boudi biryani delivery, followed by another drive around Mahalaya (Oct 10)," said Bose.
Bengali sweets also brought to Pune
The initiative has since expanded to Bengali sweets from Girish Chandra Dey and Nakur Chandra Nandy, popularly known as Girish-Nakur. Founded in 1844, the Kolkata establishment is renowned for its jolbhora sandesh, filled with liquid date palm jaggery.
"We brought more than 200kg of sweets, including jolbhora, aam sandesh, mousumi and chandrapuli, to Pune for Mahalaya." said Roy.
The volunteers coordinate directly with the establishments to maintain quality, with restaurant representatives overseeing consignments before dispatch.
"An anticipated delivery of hilsa, however, could not be finalised because the fish was unavailable in the Kolkata markets. Our aim is to make specific Kolkata favourites accessible to Bengalis in Pune without adding a commercial margin or compromising on quality," said Arun Chakraborty, admin of the Bengalis in Pune Facebook group.