KOZHIKODE: Kuttichira may be the most favourite foodie joint in the city this Ramadan season. The place is packed with people from across the district and even from other parts of the state, who come to savour the special Ramadan ‘nombu thura’ dishes prepared on the streets there.
But no matter how tasty the food might be, the entire area where the eateries have been set up, cuts a sorry figure, especially with heavy rains lashing the city for the past one week.
The stalls have been set up near open drains and the area is water-logged too. In the evening people are seen having food standing in the water puddle. This part of the city, which still holds the erstwhile remains of Kozhikode, is one of the most crowd-pulling areas even otherwise due to its historical importance. The place is, without doubt, in a state of utter neglect, as can be seen in the area surrounding the eateries opened in the vicinity of the Mishkal mosque.
“The eateries, which were opened towards the beginning of the Ramadan season, are famous for serving typical Moplah snacks and dishes. However, it has been found that most of the stalls there have been set up without the licence of the Corporation. Moreover, the stall runners and owners are showing utter lack of hygiene as well,” K P Abdulla Koya, councillor of Kuttichira, said on Thursday.
“First of all the stalls are being run without the permission or licence of the Corporation. After taking into consideration the situation in which the food was prepared and served, a meeting was called to direct the stall owners to clean the area. We have also found that they are using the water from the Kuttichira pond to wash the plates. Despite ordering them to keep the premises clean, they have not paid heed to it,” the councillor said.
“If at all anyone can make a move, it is the Corporation. Due to the publicity Kuttichira has received, people from as far as even Kasargod and Wayanad are visiting the area exclusively to have a taste of the food being served at the place. It is easy to catch food-poisoning by consuming such food,” he added.
Corporation Health Standing Committee chairman Janamma Kunjunni threw light on the fact that the Corporation was quite helpless in maintaining the hygiene of the place. “The stalls are temporary and we did call a meeting to direct the stall owners after learning that the stalls are ill-maintained. The Corporation has some practical difficulties since all the stalls open after 5 in the evening and none of the Corporation staff will be there to go around and check the area. I have discussed this matter with the city police commissioner. The matter will be looked into further.” City Police Commissioner A V George, however, said that he had not received any call regarding the matter.
Opening temporary roadside eateries without licence was common in Malabar during Ramadan season, stated Madhavan, Corporation Health Supervisor. “We have not received any complaints so far. But we will surely look into the matter and take the necessary steps,” he said. Kuttichira has been marked under many future projects of both the Corporation and the District Tourism Promotion Council. One of the major projects submitted by the Kozhikode Corporation at the Investors Meet is the construction of a water fountain in the middle of the Kuttichira pond. However, the residents of the area are of the opinion that the Corporation should concentrate more on closing the drains and tarring the roads that lead to Kuttichira from the beach and through Valiyangadi, instead of fixing a fountain.
Since Kuttichira is a tourist destination, the DTPC too has a role to play in the maintenance of the area. ”We have submitted a project under the working group to develop the area around the Mishkal mosque. We will also be building a gateway in front of the mosque without disturbing the heritage of the mosque. Besides, the project also includes paving the pathway with tiles,” said P G Rajeev, DTPC Secretary. "There are many who reside here who prefer to have food from roadside eateries soon after the fast is broken. But most of us women prefer to have food made at home. People are not going to stop visiting Kuttichira during this season. The Corporation should make some alternative arrangement to dispose of waste without causing hindrance to the people living here," said Zulfitha, a resident.