To facilitate a location conducive to street vendors, the Muscat Municipality has said it will unveil a 'Grill Zone' project for open-air barbecue in Al Amerat.
"The project is part of the plans for integrated service sites where mobile food vendors can gather at a single place'', said Muscat Municipality in a recent statement.
Work on the barbecue spot in Al Amerat Heights 2 began in February 2022 as part of efforts by Muscat Municipality to improve the quality of urban services and the aesthetic appearance of the city. It is expected to open to the public by the third quarter of this year.
"The spot will also significantly protect residential areas from harmful grilling fumes and facilitate health control, food inspections and help people looking to enjoy an open-air barbecue", the statement said.
According to the statement, the site will have chairs and tables, rubbish containers, light poles and accommodation for 20 mobile vending carts to facilitate the work environment of street vendors.
In January 2019, the Muscat Municipality banned grilling or barbecuing on the grass at parks and other public spaces in the capital city. It warned that violators of the new municipal regulations would be fined.
Through an order No 31/2019, the civic body prohibited grilling or lighting an open fire in parks, public beaches and green areas except for places designated for such purposes.
"Those who break this municipal order will have to pay an administrative fine of RO 100 and must remove the items", the order said.
Although grilling and barbecuing in various forms have over two millennia of recorded human history, health advisers suggest that smoke produced by grilling contains carcinogens and other pollutants that damage health.
This smoke can be inhaled directly from the grill and enter the body through the lungs. Smoke from the grill also contributes to local air pollution.
"Carcinogens can be generated by grilling certain foods, especially high-fat meats", says a report.
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