ERODE: Following repeated complaints from bus passengers regarding poor quality food and unhygienic toilet facilities, transport minister Vijay Tamizhan Parthiban conducted a surprise inspection at a wayside eatery near Perundurai in Erode district on Wednesday night.The minister arrived at the eatery on the Salem-Coimbatore National Highway around 9pm. He interacted with passengers to understand the quality of food being served, whether eateries were charging prices above the prescribed rates, and the condition of the toilet facilities. Passengers voiced several grievances related to food quality, overpricing and sanitation.The minister inspected the eatery’s kitchen and sales sections, where he found food items meant for public consumption being stored and handled in unhygienic conditions. He noted serious deficiencies in the quality of food on sale.The minister warned the eatery management against compromising the health and safety of passengers by selling substandard food. He contacted senior transport department officials and directed them to initiate stringent legal action against the establishment without delay for violating prescribed norms.“The health and safety of passengers cannot be compromised under any circumstances. Eateries operating along bus routes must strictly adhere to food quality, pricing and sanitation norms. Any violation will invite immediate and stringent action,” the minister said.
