Nearly 60% of bakeries in Mumbai yet to switch to cleaner fuel
According to the BMC's data, there are 1,064 licensed bakeries in Mumbai, out of which 490 of them are non-operational while 574 are currently operational. The BMC's survey came two weeks before the deadline of the Bombay High Court's (HC) order, which mandated all bakeries and eateries to switch to cleaner fuel by July 8. The civic body's data was presented in a review meeting that was carried out by Mumbai (Suburban) guardian minister, Ashish Shelar.
Civic officials said that of the 340 bakeries which are yet to switch to cleaner fuels 28 bakeries have already initiated the process to switch.
'Of the remaining bakeries, 150 of them have shared their willingness to make the switch. The numbers are being updated in our database and by July 9, we are expecting more bakeries to either switch into the process of conversion or complete the process entirely,' the civic official said.
During the review meeting, Shelar said that he suggested that a special incentive scheme for bakers be launched that will be backed by the both BMC and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
Earlier in February, the Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) had waived off security deposit for bakers in Mumbai.
Since 2022, Mumbai – despite being an island city has been looming under the woes of air pollution. In 2023, the BMC issued the Mumbai Air Pollution Mitigation Plan (MAPMP) in which smoke and emission generated from bakeries and eateries were identified as one of the key sources of Mumbai's air pollution. The BMC's data shows that as of today, bakeries contribute to 6% of Mumbai's overall air quality.
'Even though 6% may not be a very high number, it should be noted that almost all these bakeries are located in densely populated areas like Byculla, Mazgaon, Malad, Santacruz among others. Therefore, their contribution to human beings is actually very hazardous,' said a civic official.
At present, the traditional pav – which is a staple food in Mumbai – are baked in ovens (bhattis) which are dome shaped structures made out of brick and mortar, which are suited for wood fires as the sole source of heat. Members from the Bombay Bakers Association (BBA) said that usage of electricity in baking pav is economically unviable and impossible to be used in the dome shaped structures that have a maximum area of 150 square feet.
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