Clean street food hub in capital unpalatable

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Commissionerate of Food Safety (KCFS) has landed in a fix as the initiative of FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) to launch 'Clean Street Food Hub', which aims at raising hygiene standards and preserve the culinary heritage of each state, at Shangumugham beach, hits a roadblock. 

Shangumugham was one of the three destinations identified by the food safety authorities for the project. A team from the FSSAI has recently visited these spots to carry out an audit to check the feasibility of the initiative.

An official of the food safety said that Alappuzha beach is more feasible for the project. "The audit team visited all three spots but as per their condition, we should implement the project within six months. We would be able to pilot the project at Alappuzha as everything is going smooth and we will be able to meet all the pre-requisite mooted by FSSAI," said the official. While at Shangumugham, the authorities are yet to submit the beneficiary list. The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) has constructed rehabilitation block for street vendors at the beach area. "A well-coordinated effort is required to execute the project. Because of the election, we were unable to have a discussion with various departments. A collector-level meeting should be called to finalise the beneficiary list," said the official.

It is learnt that there are around 164 vendors at Shangumugham beach area and the rehabilitation block would be able to accommodate only 14 vendors. An official of the DTPC said that the beneficiary list is yet to be finalised. "There are issues as the vendors have backing from trade unions. The local body is responsible for finalising the list as they are the authority for implementing the street vendor policy," said the official.

Subramanian N, who is running a thattukada at Shangumugham for the past 30 years, said that the DTPC is yet to handover the shops to the vendors. "We are hopefully waiting. They said the handing over would happen after the election," said Mr Shanmugan.  According to the authorities only eligible vendors with seniority would be given rehabilitation.

The first Clean Street Food Hub was set up around the Kankaria Lake at Ahmedabad and FSSAI awarded a certificate recognizing it as India's first Hub.