A special squad formed by Eranakulam District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla conducted an inspection on Saturday and shut down more than 25 roadside eateries in Kochi.

The wayside eateries in and around Edappakky, Palarivattom and Vytilla were closed, after it was found that they were either unhygienic or unlicensed.

The inspection was led by district health officer PN Sreenivasan. The eateries were removed by the squad, and it included  four fish vending stalls, the Times of India reported.

The team was formed by the disaster management cell of the Collectorate in the wake of an increasing number of contagious diseases that were being reported from several areas.

The District Collector chairs the disaster management cell, and he also visited various spot to evaluate the functioning of the squad.

A hotel functioning near Oberon Mall in Edapally was also found unlicensed. The squad asked the hotel to get license and other documents. If the documents are not obtained by the stipulated time the hotel will be shut down, the health officers said. 

Hotels who had stored cooked food along with uncooked meat were also issued notices.  

The squad inspected 33 shops at the Edappally bypass. In the inspection conducted on Friday, as many as 25 wayside eateries between High Court Junction and Goshree bridge were removed, Mathrubhumi daily reported.

The team comprised of officials from the departments of health, revenue and civil supplies.

The squad has been entrusted with the authority to conduct inspection at hotels, bakeries, fish, vegetables and meat vending shops and to take immediate action.

The squad will shut down those outlets that function without licenses, and also ensure that staff working at the outlets have a health card.