Civic body shuts down food stalls near Ganesh pandals

PUNE: Two squads, formed to act against food stalls operating on roads near Ganesh pandals, shut down some of them in the central areas on Saturday. The action is expected to continue.

"Food stalls around pandals can cause accidents as the owners use gas cylinders which can be a fire hazard. We decided to take action against all such food stalls for better safety," said Madhav Jagtap, head of Pune Municipal Corporation's anti-encroachment department, while speaking to reporters.

However, in the long run, roadside food stalls may be a thing of the past. The apex hawkers' committee has decided to ban street food stalls. Only those food stalls, which are part of a designated food court, will be allowed to run. The civic administration plans to initiate action against illegal food stalls after Ganeshotsav.

As per the September 13, 2013 Supreme Court order and directives of the state government's urban development department on October 21, 2013, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will allow all vendors to do business. The civic administration has started a biometrics survey to identify traders eligible for hawker cards.

A meeting of the apex hawkers committee was held in PMC. This committee, which includes hawkers unions, NGOs, PMC officials took the decision to control the roadside food stalls.

"As per the provisions, there are limitations to run street-food businesses. Cooking of food will not be allowed. Only those, who have clearance from the food department and other permissions will be allowed to do business on designated places," said a senior civic official.

The civic administration has finalized the parameters for the food courts. The areas near bus stops, bus stations or railway stations will have food courts. Even the popular food joints will be converted into food courts. He said that the civic administration will take action against all the illegally-run food stall businesses after the Ganeshotsav.

Civic officials said that they have been following the Supreme Court orders while removing encroachments. No-hawking zones had been declared on 45 roads and 153 junctions. All food vendors on these spots will be removed.

BOX

Directives for vendors

No cooking on the road

Food businesses can operate only from the designated food courts

Food courts are likely to come up near bus stops and stations

Business allowed only during specified hours