Kochi Corporation to clear 4,000 unauthorised bunk shops across city

In a major crackdown, the Corporation on Saturday decided to go after the unauthorised bunk shops.

KOCHI: In a major crackdown, the Corporation on Saturday decided to go after the unauthorised bunk shops. The move by the Corporation Council, which met here, would lead to the removal of some 4,000 bunk shops.   

Mayor Soumini Jain informed the Council of the decision after the ruling and the Opposition members sought action against the unauthorised bunk shops and wayside eateries which had mushroomed across the city.

“We will not allow any unauthorised shops to function in the city. Every day several unauthorised shops come up in the city. We have granted permission to some shops which will be allowed to function in the coming days,” said the Mayor, while directing the Health Standing Committee chairperson V K Minimol to initiate action against the unauthorised bunk shops.

“There are as many as 1,000 wayside eateries and over 300 bunk shops functioning in the city. A majority of them do not ensure even basic hygiene. There are no restrictions on taking action against the unauthorised shops,” Mayor said.

It was the Leader of Opposition K J Antony, Tax Appeal Committee chairperson K V P Krishnakumar and Works Standing Committee chairperson P M Harris, who raised the issue in the Council.

“Most of the bunk shops are run by the mafia. The mafiosi have more than five-six shops in different areas,”  Harris told the Council meeting.

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