Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Harsh Goenka Backs Ahmedabad Restaurant Kitchen CCTV Rule
Ahmedabad has asked many restaurants to put cameras in their kitchens.
Customers should be able to watch the live video while they are at the restaurant.
The idea is to show how food is being prepared.
Officials acted after inspections found hygiene problems at some food businesses.
These problems included unsafe conditions, adulterated products and insects in ingredients.
Restaurants are also expected to improve cleaning, storage, pest control and worker hygiene.
Harsh Goenka supports the idea and asked if it should be used throughout India.
Some people think this would make restaurants more responsible.
Others worry that cameras could cost money and make meals more expensive.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has asked more than 11,000 restaurants and food businesses to install kitchen CCTV cameras.
Restaurants are expected to display live kitchen footage where diners can view it, such as reception or dining areas.
The initiative follows inspections that reportedly found unhygienic conditions, adulterated products and insect-infested ingredients at some establishments.
Harsh Goenka said greater transparency could improve hygiene and asked whether the model should be adopted across India.
Supporters cite accountability, while critics warn about installation costs, higher prices and limited customer interest in watching kitchens.
- Who
- The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, more than 11,000 restaurants and food businesses, and RPG Group chairman Harsh Goenka.
- What
- Ahmedabad has asked restaurants and food businesses to install kitchen CCTV cameras and show diners live footage.
- When
- Harsh Goenka shared his support on August 21, 2026; the article does not specify when the municipal request began.
- Where
- Ahmedabad, with a wider discussion about applying the idea across India.
- Why
- The initiative aims to increase transparency and improve food hygiene amid reported inspection concerns.
Supporters
Critics
Transparency and accountability
Supporters
Visible kitchen footage could make restaurants more accountable and give customers greater confidence in food preparation.
Critics
Critics question whether diners would actually want to watch kitchen operations while eating.
Nationwide expansion
Supporters
Harsh Goenka and other supporters suggest that Ahmedabad’s approach could become a pan-India food-safety measure.
Critics
Concerns remain about whether the model would be practical and affordable for restaurants across India.
Cost of implementation
Supporters
Supporters argue that CCTV visibility may encourage better hygiene practices.
Critics
Critics warn that installation and maintenance costs could be passed on to customers through higher prices.
- Issuing authority
- Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
- Businesses affected
- More than 11,000 restaurants and food businesses
- Camera location
- Restaurant kitchen areas
- Viewing arrangement
- Live footage displayed where diners can see it, including reception or dining areas
- Reported inspection concerns
- Unhygienic conditions, adulterated products and insect-infested food ingredients
- Additional hygiene measures
- Personal hygiene, separation of raw and cooked food, safe storage, pest control, waste management, cleaning and sanitisation
- Potential enforcement
- Serious violations can lead to action including cancellation of licences