People in Chandigarh and tourists have a new reason to flock to Sukhna Lake, beyond just enjoying its scenic beauty. It's the buzz around the city's latest attraction – the 'Pizza ATM'. Installed by the Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO), this unique vending machine is the first of its kind in North India, promising to dish out delicious pizzas in just three minutes flat.

Dr Rohit Sharma, Founder & CEO at iMatrix Group of Companies (iMatrix World Wide), the brainchild of the Pizza ATM, shared his thoughts, saying, "We drew inspiration from France for the 'Pizza ATM' concept. Determined to make it accessible, we crafted the machine ourselves at our Mohali factory." The machine, a brainchild of iMatrix World Wide, stands as the sole operational ATM of its kind in India, according to Indian Express report.

The journey to bring this idea to life had its hurdles. Sharma mentioned, "We initially tried a Chinese machine that handled everything from dough to toppings, but we faced technical issues." However, their homemade machine, once you choose your pizza, springs into action, assembling your pizza and serving it in just three minutes. Remarkably, it can handle up to seven pizzas simultaneously!

Pizza ATM
Image: Times Now

The response has been fantastic. Sharma noted, "The machine is making around 100 pizzas a day on average, and on weekends, it goes up to 200-300 pizzas." Plus, the prices are quite reasonable, offering a 35% discount compared to popular pizza chains like Domino's and Pizza Hut.

CITCO officials explained that Sukhna Lake's crowded tourist scene made it the perfect spot for the Pizza ATM. They stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness and ensuring a great experience for customers around the kiosk.

The introduction of the Pizza ATM at Sukhna Lake is part of a larger trend of innovative vending machines revolutionizing the food world. In the United States, Pizza ATMs have become a fixture on college campuses, offering fresh pizzas around the clock. Hyderabad also made headlines with the introduction of the world's first Water, Tea, or Coffee (WTC) vending machine, addressing the scarcity of vending machines in public spaces across India.

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