T’puram: The city corporation’s much-publicised crackdown on unauthorised roadside eateries appears to have lost steam, with several of the food joints removed in the drive resurfacing at the same locations within a week. Roadside eateries have made a comeback along the Vazhuthacaud–Cotton Hill stretch and in the Kuravankonam area over the past few days, raising questions over the effectiveness of the civic body’s enforcement drive.Mayor V V Rajesh had claimed that the civic body had identified several roadside eateries being operated by some of the city’s established restaurants, with food being sold at exorbitant prices. He had also announced that the corporation would soon introduce a dedicated food street to accommodate vendors who depend on the business for their livelihood. However, with several of the eateries reportedly returning to the streets within days of the crackdown, the corporation’s assurances have come under scrutiny, raising questions over the effectiveness of the enforcement drive.However, the corporation officials said no fresh permission has been issued for reopening the stalls and that the eateries that have returned are continuing to operate illegally. Rajesh said the civic body would not allow vendors who were evicted during the enforcement drive to resume operations without the required permissions.“The corporation has not permitted for these eateries to reopen. If they have resumed operations, they are doing so illegally. We will take strict action against them in coordination with the city police,” Rajesh told TOI.The development comes weeks after the corporation intensified its drive against unauthorised establishments. Corporation teams, accompanied by the police, had inspected locations where eateries were functioning without mandatory licences or by occupying public space. The action had covered areas such as the Cotton Hill-Museum stretch, Paruthippara and the Kuravankonam-Kowdiar corridor.The issue is particularly sensitive along the Vazhuthacaud-Cotton Hill road, where several roadside eateries have previously been accused of occupying portions of the carriageway and footpaths. Earlier reports had pointed to more than 10 stalls operating between Sri Mulam Club and Cotton Hill School, with evening traffic getting affected when customers and vehicles gathered around the eateries.Health standing committee chairperson M R Gopan said the civic body would coordinate with the police to prevent the evicted stalls from returning.“Unauthorised eateries cannot be allowed to come back after enforcement action has been taken. We will conduct inspections and take strict action,” Gopan said.
