The Times of India          12.08.2013

Nashik Municipal Corporation to inspect food quality at city hotels

NASHIK: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is planning to inspect hotels and restaurants across the city ahead of the KumbhMela with an aim to ensure that that the food served there is of good quality and as per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards.

The civic administration is also planning to organise workshops and create awareness pertaining to hygienic food among hoteliers and restaurant owners before the commencement of the mela in July 2015.

Speaking to TOI, municipal commissioner Sanjay Khandare said, "Of the lakhs of devotees who will be visiting Nashik during the upcoming Kumbh mela, most of them will be eating food at the city hotels and restaurants. Their health will naturally be a major priority for us. Considering that, we have decided to inspect all hotels and restaurants to check the quality of food served there."

He further said, "We will soon start inspection of city hotels. We are also planning to organise workshops to create awareness among them pertaining to preparing and serving hygienic food. We will also provide training to some hoteliers and restaurant owners."

Nashik is one of the four major holy cities where Kumbh mela is held every 12 years. Lakhs of sadhus and other pilgrims visit the city during Kumbh. The forthcoming mela will be held in 2015-16. According to the registration records with the office of the FDA, there are around 14,000 hotels, restaurants and eateries in Nashik.

The maha Kumbh mela is scheduled to start on July 14, 2015 after the flag of the Simhastha is hoisted. The first 'shahi snan' (holy dip) will take place on August 29, while the second and third will take place on September 13 and 18 respectively. The flag of the Simhastha will be lowered on August 11, 2016, which will mark the end of the maha Kumbh.