Kochi: The Cochin Corporation has called a meeting of representatives of various departments, hospitals, colleges and schools, political parties, trade unions, residents associations and traders to discuss preventive measures in view of dengue and other disease outbreaks in the city. The meeting will be held on June 27 at 10.30 am at the Ernakulam Town Hall. Meanwhile, the special council meeting held on Saturday decided to remove thattukadas (wayside eateries) that are not hygienic. Mayor Soumini Jain gave the direction to this effect to the health standing committee at the meet.
The Mayor said that the District Medical Office has identified Market Road, Convent Junction, Vaduthala, Mullassery Canal Road, TD Road, Pachalam, Ponnurunni, Kaloor, south and north railway stations and areas near the High Court as high risk areas prone to food poisoning as well. A suggestion for a licensing system for 100-150 thattukadas did not find favour with both ruling and opposition members. Leader of Opposition K. J. Antony instead suggested closing down of all unhygeinc thattukadas during the rainy season.
Works Standing Committee chairman P.M. Harris accused health inspectors of never inspecting thattukadas. Health Standing committee chairperson V. K. Minimol said operators of some parking lots in the city rented out the space for running thattukadas in the evening. The Mayor in response said that she was not dismissive of the idea of totally banning thattukadas. “The licencing system is a viable alternative and the council can discuss it,” she said.
