Push-cart food posing major threat to people’s health

According to reports, the GHMC and the police officials are accused of collecting mamools and turning a blind eye to sale of substandard food stuffs on the push-carts

Secunderabad: Public health is going for a toss as people devour on food sold at various push-carts vending food around Secunderabad railway station since the foods like mutton biryani, chicken biryani, egg biryani, lemon rice, idli, dosa, wada, tea and so on are lacked in quality. 

The foods are allegedly prepared using adulterated ingredients and polluted water. 

The food is prepared near a canal that discharges water from the adjacent Sulabh complex. 

To meet the food needs of the ever-busy people, push carts vending food mushroomed all around the Secunderabad railway station, which handles commuter traffic of at least two lakhs per day. 

The vendors are more focused on their business rather than the public health. 

According to reports, the GHMC and the police officials are accused of collecting mamools and turning a blind eye to sale of substandard food stuffs on the push-carts. 

Several have been indisposed after eating the sub-standard food. In spite of lodging several complaints with the GHMC Health Department, no concrete action has been taken. 

The food is prepared in utter unhygienic conditions. On one side the alcoholics getting tipsy on the road side and on the other, tens of LPG domestic cylinders are stacked there. The civil supplies officials are accused of conducting raids just for the name sake. They levy fine now and then, but failed to solve the problem on a permanent basis. 

Geethika, who came from Mumbai said the IRCTC food court at Secunderabad railway station which has been closed for several days, should be opened immediately to serve quality food. Otherwise, passengers will depend upon unauthorised outlets, she observed.

Tulasi, who came by Godavari Express from Visakhapatnam also expressed same opinion adding passengers should not be stripped off with additional rates. 

The local leaders with their muscle and finance power occupy foot-paths. The police are also accused of keeping mum after collecting ‘mamools’, it is alleged. 

Several commuters want the system to undergo sea change. 

Keeping in mind all these factors, the railway officials are urged to open the food court on the railway station here to provide quality food to the passengers. 

KB Ramesh