The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) health department has decided to initiate action against street food vendors. NMC health officer (sanitation) Dr Milind Ganvir told CIJ, “The Corporation has made it mandatory for street food vendors, especially those selling pani poori and pav bhaji to use hand gloves, maintain cleanliness on carts, keep food material packed and use fresh vegetables or food items. The vendors must also use NMC’s treated water or chlorinated water for preparation of food and to serve treated water to their customers.”
Dr Ganvir further added, “We have formed a special squad of 10 sanitary inspectors, to be supervised by a food inspector, who will start the drive against such street food vendors. We have asked these vendors not to use stale food items, dispose their solid waste properly and use disinfectant while serving their customers. Severe action will be taken against vendors who are caught violating the guidelines.”