Eateries take pilgrims for a ride

Tirupati: Many of the small eateries opposite the Tirupati railway station were resorting to atrocious behaviour towards the pilgrims, who come to the temple city to go to Tirumala.

As there was no regulating mechanism they were doing unethical practices and going to any extent to deceive the customers. On Saturday morning, a family came from Srikakulam to Tirupati.

The staff of one of the eateries just opposite the main entrance of the station attracted them with their lower prices to their restaurant. After they finished the breakfast, they asked the visiting pilgrims to pay more than the double of what they said at the beginning.

They abused the family members in unparliamentary language for questioning on the variation in the prices. In return, the pilgrims attacked the hotel staff member.

Some conflict took place between both sides. This is only one example. But there are many instances occurring in one way or the other everyday which are going unnoticed.

The prices were not fixed by the authorities concerned and no hotel displays the prices. Many pilgrims complain about the quality of food there. It has become a normal practice for them to serve the rotten and spoiled food which one cannot eat.

Though Tirupati Municipal Corporation (TMC) authorities had conducted raids four months back, they failed in taking concrete steps to improve the situation. Even the minimum sanitation is not maintained by eateries.

When contacted by The Hans India, TMC health officer Dr P Usha Kumari said that their staff make regular visits to the hotels and eateries and warning them whenever necessary. “We have nothing to do with the prices as there are other departments to look into that,” he added.