The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has stepped up checks on panipuri stalls across Ahmedabad after a rise in water-borne diseases such as typhoid, jaundice, cholera and diarrhoea in the South, East and Central zones of the city.
On Tuesday, AMC health teams inspected 152 panipuri stalls in areas including Behrampura and Gomtipur. Officials found panipuri being prepared in highly unhygienic conditions, with several stalls surrounded by garbage and mosquito breeding.
In Behrampura, puris were reportedly made using palm oil in poor sanitary conditions. During the inspections, AMC teams seized and destroyed 544 kg of rotten potatoes, chutney and other unfit ingredients. Water and chutney samples were also collected for laboratory testing.
Inspections covered 64 stalls in the Central zone, 58 in the South zone and 30 in the East zone. As many as 90 notices were issued to vendors violating health norms, and over ₹21,000 was recovered as administrative charges for destroying 428 litres of contaminated water, ragda and chutney.
Action was taken in several areas, including Gomtipur, Sarangpur and Shahibaug. Officials described the extent of unhygienic practices found during the drive as alarming.
Municipal Commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani has directed the health department to take strict and immediate measures to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases. The AMC said such inspection drives will continue to ensure food safety and protect public health.