KOLHAPUR: The district health department inspected over 750 water samples from the recently-held annual Jotiba yatra from over 200 sources, including those of restaurants, vendors, water tankers and wells situated on the hill and its 10-km periphery.
According to officials, unlike last year when almost half of the samples inspected needed purification, this year, not a single sample was impure. The department's drive to sensitise vendors and implementation of sterilisation of water sources played an important role.
"The drive was conducted to avoid the spread of waterborne diseases. Several chlorine tests were undertaken to check the purity of the samples. Chlorine is considered to clean water by killing micro-organisms. So, its presence is tested in water samples through various tests," said taluka health officer of the zilla parishad's health department A S Kavthekar.
Kavthekar added that considering the huge turnout of devotees every year, it is always a challenge to keep the water sources pure and plans were drawn in advance.
FDA cracks down on over 300 food vendors
The food and drug administration (FDA) carried out an inspection drive on over 300 food vendors for violation of the food safety Act at the annual Jotiba yatra. According to an FDA official, frequent inspections a week before the yatra were a part of this drive to curb any food-related problem.
"A total of eight members from the FDA were present at the yatra site to inspect the quality of food materials and registration of vendors," said Kolhapur FDA assistant commissioner S M Deshmukh.
During the FDA inspection drive, food samples from the annachhatra, prasad, food from vendors and hotels were taken as samples. According to Deshmukh, those who fail to comply with FDA standards can be fined up to Rs 25,000 or licences or registrations can be suspended.
Last week, the FDA had notified two vendors at Jotiba for keeping soda beyond its expiry date on sale.
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