Streetside panipuri vendors fall in line

Vadodara: Continuing its crackdown on panipuri vendors and makers in the city, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) destroyed around 12,000 panipuris apart from 450kg other material in different parts of the city. This is the third consecutive day when the officials of the civic body have focussed on the business in the city.
The VMC had begun the crackdown on Thursday and on Friday it had announced that food safety officers will continue the drive on Saturday despite it being a closed day at the civic body. Most roadside vendors have either started adhering to strict hygiene measures or have shifted to lanes from main roads to avoid being targeted.

Officials said that 12,000 puris, 450kg material used stuffing in panipuris and 159liters of flavoured water used in the savoury dish were destroyed on Saturday. Officials added that they may continue the drive even on Sunday.

Sources said that a bulk of seizure done on Friday was from units making the puris. The street vendors involved in selling the dish had largely kept away from the business or left the place from where they operated on hearing of VMC teams coming to the area.