Patna: At Boring Road Chauraha, it is not just the aroma of freshly brewed tea that draws crowds. It is the stories behind the steaming cups. From ‘Mohabbat Wali Chai’ to ‘Street Chaiwala’, quirky identities have turned ordinary tea stalls into popular hangouts, giving Patna’s food scene a flavour of its own.Once known for its upmarket shops, boutiques and eateries, Boring Road was a favourite shopping destination long before malls became popular. Today, its roadside tea stalls are drawing attention again, with catchy names, affordable tea and stories that particularly appeal to youngsters.For Sandeep Kumar, popularly known as ‘Bewafa Chaiwala’, heartbreak became the inspiration for his business. Among the first to set up a tea cart on Boring Road, he started the stall after a breakup in 2019, hoping to create a place where people nursing broken hearts could find company over a cup of tea.The idea caught on. His popularity grew to the extent that he was invited to the reality show ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’. Even his pricing follows the theme: those nursing heartbreak pay Rs 15 a cup, while people in love pay Rs 20.Then there is Taresh Srivastava, the ‘Dubai Return Chaiwala’. After returning from Dubai in late 2022, where he worked as a storekeeper and took up other odd jobs, Taresh started his tea business in 2023. The name has helped him attract a steady stream of youngsters.His kulhad chai costs Rs 15, while tea in edible cups is priced at Rs 25. He also serves tea for Rs 5 to rickshaw pullers and those unable to afford the costlier options.Vikash Aryan, better known as ‘Actor Chaiwala’, brings another story. A former television actor who has also won a startup competition, he moved from Mumbai to Patna and entered the tea business in 2023.“Tea is essential to starting any conversation among Biharis,” he says. His stall draws students and tea lovers in the evenings, while brass cookware adds to its appeal.During peak season, particularly winter, the three earn between Rs 30,000 and Rs 60,000 a month.On Boring Road, chai comes with more than a familiar taste. Every stall has a story, every name sparks curiosity and every kettle keeps the crowd coming back.
