Pune Airport News: Eatery Temporarily Shut After Viral Video Shows Cockroach Near Food
Pune Airport News
Airport authorities at Pune International Airport have temporarily shut down a popular food outlet inside the terminal after a viral video showed a cockroach crawling among displayed food items. The clip sparked widespread outrage on social media, prompting swift disciplinary action from airport management and the master food concessionaire.
The video was originally shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the handle @PuneDistrict and quickly gained over 10,000 likes along with sharp criticism from travelers. The footage clearly showed a cockroach moving near ready-to-eat items inside the cafe’s glass display case. Tagging Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the post raised serious concerns over food safety and hygiene standards at the outlet and its other branches.
Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke confirmed that Balaji Caterers the master concessionaire responsible for overseeing all food and beverage outlets at the terminal acted immediately after the video surfaced:
- Immediate Closure: The cafe’s operations were suspended on the spot.
- Financial Penalty: A heavy fine was imposed on the outlet’s brand for violating hygiene protocols.
- Deep Cleaning & Audit: The management ordered thorough deep cleaning and pest-control treatments. Airport officials stated that the eatery will undergo a strict internal audit and will only be allowed to reopen if it passes all safety inspections.
Pune Airport currently houses around 16 food outlets inside its terminal. Following the incident, airport sources indicated that all eateries across the premises will face tighter scrutiny and surprise inspections.
Frequent flyers welcomed the suspension, pointing out that passengers pay premium prices for airport meals—where a simple sandwich and bottled water can easily cost up to ₹1,000 and expect the highest standards of cleanliness in return.
For more context on recent food safety crackdowns across the state, see Cockroaches and Rotten Food Found at Maharashtra Eateries, which highlights ongoing inspection drives targeting unhygienic restaurant conditions in Maharashtra.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
