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Indian Marble Waste Dump Becomes Unlikely Tourist Attraction
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Crime & Justice

Indian Marble Waste Dump Becomes Unlikely Tourist Attraction

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Food safety inspectors in Mumbai shut down two popular restaurants for hygiene violations, including rats, flies, and expired ingredients.
  • The crackdown, driven by new food safety regulator head Tukaram Mundhe, has targeted numerous establishments, from high-end eateries to institutional canteens.
  • While the campaign has public support for tackling corruption, industry groups criticize the heavy-handed approach and lack of prior notice for license suspensions.

Mumbai's vibrant food scene is facing a rigorous hygiene crackdown after food safety inspectors raided two popular dessert and stew restaurants last month. Inspectors found rats, houseflies, and expired ingredients at one establishment, and meat stored in filthy containers with greasy floors at another. Both eateries were ordered shut in the toughest enforcement action in years against restaurants in the sprawling megacity.

Tukaram Mundhe, the new head of Maharashtra state's food safety regulator, is spearheading the campaign. "If they are abiding by the law... they have nothing to fear. And those who do not, they have no place to hide," Mundhe told AFP. His office inspected nearly 900 businesses in July alone, temporarily suspending over 100 licenses. The sweep has encompassed everything from top restaurants and luxury hotels to canteens at prestigious institutions like the Cricket Club of India.

If they are abiding by the law... they have nothing to fear. And those who do not, they have no place to hide

— Tukaram MundheThe head of Maharashtra state's food safety regulator explained his approach to the crackdown.

Mundhe, who has a significant social media following, expressed surprise at the widespread lack of knowledge regarding basic food safety rules among owners. He noted issues with receiving raw materials, storage, processing, and even appropriate flooring. While India has a food safety framework, enforcement has historically been weak, with government data showing about one in six food samples failing standards between 2022 and 2025.

The stringent approach has garnered support from residents who believe some operators routinely bribe officials. "Every department must have an officer like Mundhe," said Mumbai resident Pramod Shinde. "Corruption and adulteration can be contained only through the strict actions of such officers." However, the campaign faces resistance from hotel lobby groups, who have criticized the measures as overly harsh. Industry associations have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing "grave concern" over sudden license suspensions without prior notice or a chance for corrective action.

Every department must have an officer like Mundhe. Corruption and adulteration can be contained only through the strict actions of such officers.

— Pramod ShindeA Mumbai resident expressed support for the strict enforcement measures.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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