Pollution levels in Mumbai have risen. Vehicle emissions, unauthorized construction, and smoke from bakery chimneys are being cited as key contributors to the city’s air pollution.
To improve air quality, bakeries in Mumbai have now been mandated to use clean fuel instead of wood or coal. Following a warning from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), 102 bakery operators who ignored the directive were served Stop Work Notices. After the warning, 175 bakery operators have switched to using green fuel instead of wood.
Deputy Commissioner Avinash Kate of the BMC’s Environment and Climate Change Department stated that 69 bakeries have already started the transition to fuel-based ovens.
The municipal administration and pollution control board have ordered all bakeries and other businesses in Mumbai to stop using wood and coal in order to improve air quality.
The Bombay High Court had also, during a hearing on 9 January 2025, directed businesses to adopt alternative clean fuels instead of wood and coal within a six-month period.
To curb pollution in Mumbai, the municipal authorities are taking strict action against bakeries still using wood and coal. Operators are being forced to switch to fuels such as PNG or LPG.
The authorities have also warned that any bakery operator found not complying with the clean fuel mandate will have their license canceled.
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