Panipuris prepared in unhygienic conditions, rotten ingredients found as AMC raids stalls

The health department of the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has ramped up inspections of panipuri vendors across Ahmedabad following a rise in cases of water-borne diseases such as typhoid, jaundice, cholera, diarrhoea and vomiting in the South, East and Central zones of the city.

On Tuesday, AMC teams inspected 152 panipuri stalls in several ward areas, including Behrampura and Gomtipur, and found widespread violations of hygiene norms. Officials said panipuri was being prepared in extremely unhygienic conditions, with some locations plagued by litter and mosquito infestation.

In Behrampura, panipuri puris were reportedly being made using palm oil amid severe insanitary conditions.

During the drive, officials destroyed a total of 544 kg of rotten potatoes, chutney and other inedible items seized from vendors across the three zones. Samples of water and chutney were also collected for testing.

According to the health department, inspections were carried out on 64 carts in the Central zone, 58 in the South zone and 30 in the East zone. As a result, 90 notices were issued to vendors found flouting health regulations. Administrative charges exceeding ₹21,000 were recovered for the destruction of 428 litres of contaminated water, ragda, and chutney prepared for panipuri.

Action was taken in multiple localities, including Gomtipur in the East zone, as well as Sarangpur and Shahibaug. Officials said the scale of unhygienic practices discovered during the inspections was alarming.

With concerns mounting over deteriorating water quality in the city, Municipal Commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani has directed the medical officer of health department to take immediate and effective steps to curb the spread of water-borne diseases.

The AMC said such enforcement drives would continue to ensure food safety and protect public health.