Mysuru, Oct. 15 -- The Dasara Aahara Mela being held at Maharaja's College Grounds has raised concerns over cleanliness and fire safety, with visitors seen eating amid swirling dust, overflowing garbage bins and foul-smelling stagnant waste water.

Though the Aahara Mela opens at 11 am, waste collection was still underway at 12.30 pm. Garbage bins placed in front of food stalls overflowed, spreading an unpleasant smell across the venue.

As stall owners called out to customers over microphones, dust raised during cleaning settled on the food being served. Visitors, however, continued to enjoy their snacks despite the conditions.

While drinking water arrangements appeared satisfactory, the hand-washing facilities left much to be desired. ...