Agartala, May 20: Emphasizing the critical role of hygiene in public health, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder on Tuesday urged street food vendors to strictly adhere to health and safety norms while serving food to the public.
The Mayor was addressing vendors during a free health check-up and food safety awareness programme jointly organized by the Agartala Smart City Mission and the National Health Mission (NHM) at Sukanta Academy in Agartala.
Chief Executive Officer of the Smart City Mission Dr. Sailesh Yadav and other officials were also present at the event.
Speaking at the programme, Mayor Majumder said, “Street food vendors cater to thousands of citizens daily, and ensuring hygienic and safe food is both essential and their responsibility. Food safety isn’t optional—it’s vital for the health of our city.”
He stressed that all vending units should remain mobile to avoid obstructing pedestrian movement and to help reduce traffic congestion in busy areas.
During the event, vendors were educated on government guidelines for food safety, personal hygiene, and sanitation practices. Officials also addressed rising public concerns over food adulteration and poor hygiene among some street vendors and small eateries.
The programme comes amid growing complaints from city residents—many voiced via social media—about unhygienic food practices. Concerns include the use of stale ingredients, low-quality cooking oil, and non-standardized spices that pose potential health risks.
Organizers highlighted that such awareness campaigns aim to empower vendors with the knowledge and tools needed to maintain food quality standards while protecting consumer health.
The Mayor assured that similar initiatives would be held regularly to help street vendors improve their services while complying with health regulations.
