Bhubaneswar, Jun 18: In response to a rising number of diarrhoea cases in Bhubaneswar, the Food Safety Department of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a large-scale crackdown on sweet shops and eateries across the city.

The raids, conducted in multiple wards, revealed unhygienic food preparation conditions and the use of stale ingredients.

Officials seized expired sweets and spoiled steamed food items from several outlets. Hefty fines were imposed on violators, and warnings were issued to those operating in unsanitary environments.

The move comes amid growing public health concerns, with diarrhoea cases linked to contaminated food and water being reported from various localities including Ghatikia and Niladri Vihar.

The central health team, currently in Odisha, is coordinating with the state’s Health Department, Panchayati Raj, and Urban Development departments to investigate the root cause of the outbreak.

Preliminary findings suggest that contaminated drinking water may be a major contributor. Discussions are underway to determine necessary interventions, including the provision of purified drinking water and improved sanitation infrastructure.

In another development, the central team has held meetings with officials from the Drinking Water and Panchayati Raj departments to assess the situation and recommend corrective measures. Urban Development officials have joined the discussions to ensure a coordinated response across departments.

This multi-agency effort aims to curb the spread of waterborne diseases during the monsoon season and ensure public health safety across the capital.

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