Kozhikode: Barely three days after its grand launch, the Kozhikode Food Street operated by the City Corporation is already reeking of kitchen waste. Of the 90 bunks installed at the site, only 22 have begun operations. However, the surroundings are already littered with single-use plates, bottles and leftover food discarded by visitors who throng the area to savour the delicacies.

The food street was envisioned to put an end to the practice of setting up makeshift pandals and to ensure hygienic management of the beachside food outlets. During the launch, the Corporation had announced that each bunk would be equipped with drinking water, electricity, and three bins for waste management. Local Self-Governance Minister M B Rajesh, who inaugurated the project, had urged traders and visitors not to let waste pile up in the city.

However, in stark contrast to the promises made, only one waste bin each has been provided for seven shops, while many outlets have no bins at all. As the food street draws large crowds each evening, the lack of waste disposal facilities has forced visitors to dump waste around the shops, along the roadside and even onto the beach.

In response to the mounting waste, the Corporation deployed cleaning workers on Thursday and carried out a major clean-up drive on the premises. “From today, eight cleaning workers have been assigned exclusively to the food street. The KSEB and the Water Authority have also begun work to provide electricity and water connections to each bunk. Basic facilities will be completed soon. However, it is the responsibility of stall owners to ensure proper disposal of organic waste,” said P Divakaran, President of the Corporation Standing Committee.