Motels come under the radar for unhygienic practices

TRICHY: It is always a bitter experience for long-distance road travellers, especially those travelling by buses as food and proper toilet facilities are of utmost importance. But, unmindful of all these, both government and private bus drivers tend to act according to their whims and fancies and halt the buses at motels where they are provided free food in return for bringing a bus load of passengers.

Once inside the motel, passengers are welcomed by the poor dining and toilet areas and exorbitant rates on every item sold there. Such poor conditions can be regularly seen at motels situated on NH-45 from Trichy to Chennai. Despite the drawbacks, passengers have no alternatives.

Last week, the food safety wing of Trichy conducted a raid at a motel on Chennai Bypass Road near TVS tollgate based on a complaint about inferior food quality. During the raid, the officials found discrepancies in the hygiene level of the food served there.

"There were some issues with the hygiene level. So, we warned them to rectify the problem or else face action," said Dr A Ramakrishnan, designated officer, food safety wing, Trichy.

In Trichy district alone, there are 29 motels and hotels on Chennai, Dindigul and Madurai roads. Some of them have only applied for registration and licence under Food Safety and Standard Act (FSSA). Ramakrishnan said they have advised the unregistered hotels and motels to register and provide hygienic food.

Sources said that private bus owners insist the driver and conductors to stop the vehicle at one particular motel as a they have a deal between them. It is also said that the drivers and conductors are provided quality food.

To overcome such issues, experts suggest the state government come up with eateries like 'Amma Canteens' at every 25 km along with providing other facilities. They suggested that the government can make use of its land to implement the project.

"It will be a good move if the government starts such units which can provide quality food and atmosphere. There is no need to provide food at cheaper price," said M Sekaran, president of federation of consumer and service organisations.

Consumer activist S Pushpavanam, secretary of consumer protection council, Trichy also said that if the government implements such project, it will benefit many people who undergo a lot of ordeal at the hands of the motels.