Some dampening news for foodies, who used to frequent the stalls on Mosque Road, for mouth-watering kebabs and biryanis during the month of Ramzan.





The mosque committee has decided not to allow setting up of food stalls on the Mosque Road due to the traffic congestion and inconvenience caused to mosque-goers. Aslam Fazal, member of Haji Sir Ismail Sait Masjid committee told Deccan Herald, “After several meetings with the committee members and the hoteliers on Mosque Road, it has been decided that no food stalls will be set up, this year.”



“The decision was taken after several residents and the people visiting the mosque to offer prayers complained of inconvenience. Traffic congestion is the main culprit. As it is a main road, there is heavy vehicular movement and hundreds of people visit the mosque during the holy month and they are put to hardships as thousands of people visit the stalls. Our priority is not to hinder people coming to the mosque.”



Even last year similar decision was taken by the committee. Later, it was withdrawn. “Garbage is another issue. There is no proper place to dispose of the waste generated by the stalls. Mounds of garbage remain unattended during the month,” he added.



He said that the decision will be enforced strictly, this time. Legal action would be taken against anyone violating the norm and the police has also been informed about the decision. “We have asked everyone to strictly adhere to the rules and anyone trying to flout the rules will face a stern action. We will seek for the suspension of their licence. They would not be allowed to even set up stall on the pavement, in front of their hotel,” he mentioned.



Zakir, corporator of Pulakeshi Nagar, added, “The decision was taken after the residents complained about the nuisance created by the those visiting food stalls. We will ma­ke sure that no one will put up a food stall and the sanctity around the mosque is maintained.” A local, who did not want to be named, said, “People visiting the stalls park the vehicles in front of the houses in the bylanes. Also, we find alcohol bottles strewn in front of houses.” When Deccan Herald contacted a few hotels, they told that they are not aware of the decision. Akruthi Kumar, a techie and a regular visitor to the food stalls on Mosque Road, said, “It is a bad news, as every year we wait to visit the food stalls to taste varieties of delicacies. The food street was a spectacle and was a huge hit among the people.”



The holy month of Ramzan begins from June 7 and goes on till July 6, 2016.