Haveri
The city is getting busier by the day. Catering to the growing demand, roadside canteens have mushroomed on most of the roads, operating from morning to night. Mobile canteens have occupied most of the roads such as NH-48, Municipal High School Road, Deputy Commissioner’s office road, Guttal Road and other interior roads.
This has led to traffic problems as these canteens are set in spaces meant for parking.
Moreover, these roadside eateries throw their garbage on the road. Their cooking leads to smoke and they lead to constant noise as they cook food and wash utensils.
The biggest problem faced by shopkeepers and residents here is regarding parking vehicles. Bus terminals near NH-48 are supposed to be commercial areas, but shopkeepers are unable to do business here as two and four-wheelers are parked haphazardly on the main roads, blocking traffic and the front portions of the shops.
Roadside canteens are a big hurdle to our business as our customers are unable to reach our shops from the main road. It has impacted our businesses dramatically. Customers are not visiting our shops due to these mobile canteens,” shared one of the shopkeepers on the old national highway-48 near the bus terminal.
Akkamahadevi pond is a water body for drinking water for the residents of the city. There are small canteens here which do not have enough space to serve food inside their premises. People park their vehicles on roads and eat food, blocking the movement of pedestrians and motorists. They also pollute the pond by dumping waste into it, alleged Mantesh Bevinahindi, a JD(S) leader in Haveri.
CMC Commissioner Parashuram Chalavadi said they had received complaints regarding roadside canteens. We will start a drive to clear mobile canteens after the administrative body comes to power, he assured.
