The residents of the twin cites are at a perpetual risk of falling prey to water-borne diseases because of the numerous roadside eateries, which are selling unhygienic food.
The sale of cut fruit and uncovered eatables is going unchecked by the concerned authorities and giving rise to contagious diseases like typhoid, cholera and gastroenteritis.
These illegal eateries, which have mushroomed at every nook and corner of the city, serving food on stalls and small carts never care to serve hygienic food. It is seen that at a few of these eateries procure water from roadside municipality contaminated tap water, which are often surrounded by garbage and for cooking, washing and serving purposes. The eatables are not properly covered after cooking. Even the food is cooked on the roadside. The dust and smoke emitted by vehicles make these roads a bad place for cooking food.
Dr Aftab Ali in a local Hospital said that “Eateries at school, colleges or other city points, all are vulnerable and one can get infected very easily by them.” Shehzad Ali, a student said, “At least they should cover the eatables.
Cooking on roadside can never be considered hygienic. The dust particles and smoke can cause problems for the people who eat from these shops.” A private employee, Saqib Tahir said, “Even the child labour laws have not proved a deterrent for these eatery owners. How can they expect kids to wash utensils properly.” He said the health Department should look into the hygiene levels of these eateries to prevent the likely outbreak of water-borne diseases. When an official of food quality control was contacted, he claimed that crackdowns are conducted regularly against the violators and several times strict actions were taken in this regard. He said that “We are already working on a campaign that will be launched soon to ensure people’s health. The department will identify and issue strict orders to all such eateries to cover the food items”. An intensive awareness campaign will be run in the city for the general public. Even people themselves must not eat at such eateries where they find that proper hygiene instructions are not followed, he added.
