Cholera scare: BBMP intensifies drive against roadside eateries

BENGALURU: With a spurt in cholera cases in several parts of Bengaluru over the past two weeks, BBMP is on an overdrive, cracking down on illegal roadside eateries and food vendors across the city. Activists, however, see this as a ham-handed and knee-jerk response.
East, south and west zones, all in core Bengaluru areas, reported 25 suspected cases over the past few days.While seven are confirmed cases, 10 have turned negative and results are awaited in eight others, BBMP officials said. The drive against roadside eateries began on Monday morning from Jayanagar. On Tuesday, it was expanded to include several other parts of the city.
Announcing the crackdown on Tuesday afternoon, BBMP commissioner BH Anil Kumar tweeted: “To prevent the spread of cholera & GE, BBMP has shut all roadside eateries & unhygienic kitchens. Request citizens to stop consuming roadside food as they are the source of infections.”
Stalls selling cut fruits, chats, fruit juice and other food tend to use water that is unhygienic which can lead to spread of cholera, BBMP officials said. They also made it clear that there won’t be any let-up in the drive.
Akyab Salman, senior health inspector of Sanjaynagar ward, said, “It’s difficult to send them home as they say it is their only source of income and will affect them badly. But we don’t have a choice. We are doing this for the sake of everyone’s health and safety. As per the current order, the ban on street food joints is permanent and they won’t be allowed to come back unless there are further orders.”
Health inspectors across the city have deployed their officers to make sure no street food is available.
Santosh Raj, junior health inspector of Shantinagar ward, said, “We started removing these eateries on Monday evening on MG Road, Residency Road, Brunton Road and Trinity Circle. So far, we have shut down close to 40 eateries. This not only aids visual cleanliness, but also helps in improving hygiene, considering there is an outbreak of cholera.”
“Some of the vendors listen to us, but most try their best to resist. They say it will directly affect their families as the carts are the only source of their livelihood. We have to explain to them why we are doing it and request them to cooperate,” he added Citizen groups, however, say there could have been a different approach to deal with the situation.
“It appears as if it was a reaction that wasn’t thought through. Issues such as this should be brought up in the council, where they can come together and figure out how this can be dealt with. The city belongs to everyone, including these street vendors,” said Srinivas Alavilli of Citizens for Bengaluru.
S Babu, president, Bengaluru Jilla Beedhi Vyapari Sanghatanegala Okkuta said cholera is a water-borne disease. “Taking a decision to provide cleaner water to the city would have been more appropriate,” he added.
“BBMP won’t be providing compensation or financial assistance despite knowing fully well that these vendors are completely dependent on their small businesses to eke out a living. How do they expect them to lead their lives for the next few days or weeks,” he asked.