Hold your breath: You are at Indira Canteen

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Health Department is expected to ensure hygiene at canteens, hotels, and restaurants and even at roadside eateries in the city. The BBMP health officials, accompanied by marshals, make surprise visits to penalise those who fail to maintain hygiene at hotels and restaurants.

Indira Canteens play a vital role in providing food at subsidised price to the people from economically weaker sections. These canteens, like eateries and hotels in the city, should ensure cleanliness for the benefit of customers.

However, it is shocking to see unhygienic conditions prevailing around Indira Canteen (No. 21) near University of Agricultural Sciences Bus Shelter near Hebbal. The National Highways Authority of India has developed a bus bay to provide two bus shelters for the benefit of BMTC commuters while developing the Airport Road also known as Bellary Road. However, the bus bay has become a destination for dumping all types of debris. It has also become a parking place for around 20 garbage auto tippers.

“We have complained to the BBMP health authorities about the bad odour emanating from the stationary garbage auto tippers. One can see leachate at the vacant space,’’ said a BBMP marshal.

He said the number of people visiting Indira Canteen has come down drastically due to the unhygienic atmosphere. “Around 200 people have breakfast every day. The number of people visiting this canteen for lunch is around 50 and only 30 people avail dinner every day,” he said.

Many people have also expressed displeasure over the unhygienic atmosphere near the canteen. “We are very happy with the quality of food, but not with the atmosphere here. It is nauseating to see garbage auto tippers parked just a few metres away from the canteen,” said Manikantan, a student of UAS.

Expressing the similar opinion, Hayaz Khan, a UAS student from Tamil Nadu, has said that he was very happy to have food at Indira Canteen. “The quality of food, especially rice with sambar, is very good. I want the authorities concerned to shift the garbage auto tippers to other suitable locations,’’ he said. Syed Basha, an autorickshaw driver, has also complained against the unhygienic atmosphere around the canteen. “The BBMP is spending money to provide food at subsidised prices but has become apathetic when it comes to maintaining hygiene,’’ he said.

A few of the autorickshaw drivers are seen urinating on the spot. Meanwhile, BBMP Hebbal Division Health Supervisor H.B. Ashok has said that BBMP authorities are looking for an alternative location to relocate the garbage auto tippers. “We have not allowed anyone to dump debris at the vacant space. I will visit the spot and make arrangements to remove debris from the spot,” said Ashok.