BMC issue notices to Mumbai restaurants, dhabas to replace coal tandoors by July

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started issuing notices to several restaurants and dhabas using the traditional charcoal tandoor, asking them to switch to electrical appliances by July.

The civic officials have warned all establishments to shift to cleaner alternatives by July 8, in compliance with the Bombay High Court (HC) order. The order stated that revocation of the licenses, penalties, and legal proceedings may follow, if they fail to do so.

In response to this, an activist Zoru Bathena took to platform X and said: "The BMC who is grilling every road in Mumbai, is concerned about Charcoal Grills. What next? Havan fires? My BMC Pointing one finger to others Forgetting that everything else points back to them."

The BMC who is grilling every road in Mumbai, is concerned about Charcoal Grills.

What next?
Havan fires?

My BMC
Pointing one finger to others
Forgetting that everything else points back to them pic.twitter.com/3nd2vr64yR

— Zoru Bhathena (@zoru75) February 13, 2025

As per reports, two circulars have been issued from BMC's environment department and health department to all MOHs across 25 administrative wards. The MOHs must ensure that the establishments use greener alternatives, further mentioning that the deadline for discontinuing conventional options is July 8, 2025.

Until then, trade licenses will be marked as 'Not to Renew in the SAP system'. No establishments will be issued new licenses if they continue using conventional fuels.

On January 9, 2025, the top court mandated restaurants using wood, coal, or conventional fuels to transition to cleaner energy sources such as LPG, PNG, CNG, electricity, and other green fuels.

According to a report by HT, since then, BMC's G South ward medical officer of health (MOH) has been issuing notices. Notices have been issued to a total of 84 open-air eateries, dhabas, restaurants, hotels, and tandoor establishments.

The use of coal tandoors is believed to have contributed to the worsening air pollution, prompting the government to consider a regulation.

Also Read: Mumbai Bakeries To Get Subsidies from BMC and MPCB for Switching to Green Fuels