Walkers seek safeguards for Tiruchi’s proposed food street

The Race Course Road Walkers Association has asked officials to build hygiene, waste control and pedestrian safety into plans for a model food street near Anna Stadium in Khajamalai, Tiruchi. The District Collector has agreed to form a committee to oversee the facility.

Food Safety Department officials met association members on Friday to hear their views. The group wants the walking track kept clear of vehicles from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., stalls barred from opening before 6 a.m., and cooking smoke kept away from walkers. It also called for measures to stop food waste and used oil from being left beside the track.

In a submission to the District Collector, the association proposed requiring food handlers to display Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences and renew medical fitness certificates every six months. It also recommended aprons, caps and gloves, standard covered stainless steel carts, hand-washing facilities, and separate handling of food and cash.

The group proposed separate bins for wet and dry waste, daily municipal collection at 10:30 p.m., a shared washing area with drainage, a ban on single-use plastic, daily cleaning and weekly fogging. It said the walking path should remain at least 10 feet wide.

For the proposed street’s 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. operating window, the association called for CCTV cameras, fire extinguishers, adequate lighting and security staff. It also sought bilingual price lists, a displayed FSSAI complaint number and a monitoring committee with a walkers’ representative.

The association raised concerns about a public toilet near the track that it says has been inaccessible since it was built a year ago, as well as non-working lights at a children’s park and open gym. H. Ghouse Baig, an association member, said the Collector had promised a committee including the Corporation Commissioner, police and Food Safety Department officials, alongside an association representative.