Few takers for pani puri after 'Pee-Gate' news !

Mumbai:Pani puri sales across the city have seen a steep fall after a city tabloid printed shocking pictures of a pani puri vendor urinating in a container used to serve customers and the subsequent attacks on street food vendors by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists.

The controversy has forced some pani puri vendors to step up on hygiene. While some have immediately switched to bottled mineral water others have started using hand gloves to serve customers. " Because of one man the entire community has suffered.

Its not just the MNS but customers who are now doubting us", said Ramesh Singh who works at the popular New Pankaj snacks stall at Matunga.

" We have switched to bottled water from Friday", he points to the big board that reads ' Bisleri pani puri' outside his stall. In the heart of chat country at Girgaum Chowpatty, pani puri vendors were busy trying to convince customers who preferred sandwiches and frankies instead.

" I know its not their fault and not everyone does such perverted things but when I see pani puri the pictures come to mind and I just can't eat at least for now", says Bhavik Dand, a student.

Even at the popular khau galli at Grant Road, pani puri vendors faced tough questions all day long and were even ridiculed by customers.

" Sale has come down by 30% easily but I'm sure it will be normal in a few days", said OP Gupta, a vendor who has started using hand gloves. " Customers still come to me because of my quality and they know I wouldn't do such a thing", he adds.

Even in the MNS territory of Dadar, vendors were a worried lot. " We are doubly careful about hygiene now and clean our stall every few hours. We don't want to take chances", said a vendor popular among students of Kirti College nearby. " It might be wrong to blame all of them but at least it has increased basic hygiene and cleanliness", said a customer.