VMC hygiene drive: fines imposed on Vijayawada eateries found violating food safety norms
VMC officials inspected multiple Vijayawada restaurants, fining three for hygiene lapses and issuing notices to others to fix deficiencies.
The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) carried out a series of inspections at hotels and restaurants across the city on Wednesday, acting on directives from Municipal Commissioner Dhyanachandra H.M. The drive focused on eateries along K.T. Road and B.R.P. Road, with sanitary inspectors and public health officials checking compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations.
Among the establishments reviewed were Minerva Hotel, Veg Treat Hotel, Hotel Srinivas, Chintala Vari Bhojanam, Aithey Biryani, and Madina Hotel. The inspections revealed multiple violations, including kitchens lacking proper tiling, visible mould growth on walls and surfaces, poorly maintained restrooms, and the use of substandard drinking water. Officials also noted that food preparation and general business activities were being conducted in unhygienic conditions, falling short of prescribed cleanliness benchmarks.
As a result, fines of ₹2,000 each were levied on Hotel Srinivas, Chintala Vari Bhojanam, and Aithey Biryani. The managements of two other hotels received formal notices, directing them to address the identified deficiencies within a specified timeframe and to comply with all applicable public health and food safety regulations.
Officials cautioned that failure to rectify the issues within the given period would invite further legal action, including the possible cancellation of trade licences. The inspection team included Sanitary Supervisors D. Somaraju and Saleem Ahmed, Sanitary Inspector Kota Gopayya, and Ward Secretary Rahul, among other municipal staff.