Mumbai: Hundreds of bakeries in Mumbai, a substantial number of which are run by Muslims, have been issued notices by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to transition to cleaner fuels such as Piped Natural Gas (PNG). The move follows a Bombay High Court directive instructing bakeries and restaurants to shift to clean fuel-based operations by July 8, reducing pollution in the city.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had earlier mandated a phased transition over a year, but the court ruling has shortened the deadline significantly. Currently, while many licensed bakeries already use cleaner fuels, several still rely on wood and diesel, contributing approximately 3.5% of the city’s PM pollution.
Given the financial burden of this transition, the BMC is exploring financial assistance and subsidies to help bakery owners comply. Options include loans and subsidies under government schemes like the PM Svanidhi Yojana. Additionally, Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) has announced a waiver on the security deposit for new PNG connections to encourage compliance.
With many Muslim-run bakeries facing challenges in making this costly switch, community leaders and business owners are urging authorities to provide substantial financial support to ensure compliance without disrupting livelihoods. The transition, while necessary for environmental reasons, poses a significant challenge for small bakery owners already operating on thin margins.
