Puri Sub-Collector Madhusudan Dash on Friday issued notices to 41 hotels of the city under Section 133 CrPC as drinking water in the hotels was contaminated. As per the direction of the high-level Rath Yatra committee, the Public Health Department had taken water samples from 412 hotels, lodging houses and other commercial establishments where tourists stay. The lab test showed that the water sources in 41 hotels and lodging houses were unfit for human consumption.
The hotels were selling tourists water bottles pouring water from their sources. The Sub-Collector registered criminal cases against the hotel owners and issued notices them to appear before court in three phases onJune 21, 22 and 23 to place their statements. Under laws, if the hotels are proved guilty, they would be sealed. This has spread panic among the hoteliers. last year, four such hotels were sealed.