Mumbai News: Just 48 Of 356 Polluting Bakeries Switch To Green Fuels Ahead Of BMC Deadline

With less than 20 days remaining for the deadline given by the BMC for the bakeries run using coal/wood to convert to green fuels, only 48 out of 356 bakeries have successfully converted so far. "The deadline is July 8 and compliance by the bakery owners is poor. However, some bakeries using coal/wood are in process of conversion and number is likely to increase by the deadline," said a senior BMC officer.

After July 8 show cause notices will be issued to the defaulters, and if they fail to comply despite the notices, they may face closure. "The bakeries using coal/wood will be shut down if they fail to comply Bombay High court orders," the officer added.

Bakeries using coal or wood are one of th major source of pollution and the Bombay HC had slammed the authorities for their casual approach towards curbing the sources of pollution. The notices are issued in compliance to the HC directives to take immediate measures to curb the sources of air pollution in the city. Thus, the establishments which use coal and/or wood were given ultimatum of six months, which ends on July 8, to convert to PNG/CNG/electric.

Apart from bakeries, BMC had also issued notices to more than 443 restaurants/eateries which use charcoal tandoors. However, the Bombay Charcoal Merchant's Association has approached the HC seeking relief. 

The BMC officer said, "Many bakery owners feel that if eateries using charcoal get relief from the high court, they might also get some concession. However, the directives are clear, all bakeries using coal and wood have to convert to enviornment friendly fuels to reduce air pollution."

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Bakeries using coal and wood are not only one of the major source of air pollution in the city, but the cheap wood used to save money, emits highest PM2.5 pollutant, the easily breathable matter, which is very harmful.

Bakeries, hotels, restaurants, street food vendors, and tandoor-based businesses in Mumbai often use low-quality wood or broken furniture as fuel, releasing harmful gases that pose serious health risks.