Mumbai’s bakery sector is at the centre of a regulatory storm as the city’s civic body prepares to shut down nearly 300 establishments that continue to operate on coal- and wood-fired ovens, despite repeated directives to switch to cleaner alternatives. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed that stop-work notices will now be issued, following the Bombay High Court’s refusal to extend the July deadline for compliance.
The move is part of Mumbai’s broader push to curb emissions and improve urban air quality, with officials stressing that the bakery industry cannot be exempt from the city’s clean-energy transition. Authorities first issued notices in late 2024, giving establishments until March 2025 to replace traditional ovens with those powered by piped natural gas (PNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or electricity. Yet, by the end of the grace period, only 32 bakeries had complied. Court intervention in January this year had extended the window until July, setting a firm deadline for the green shift. Despite this, official records reveal that only 14 more bakeries adopted cleaner fuels, while around 37 began the transition process. With more than 250 bakeries failing to act, the municipal body has now decided to enforce closures until compliance is achieved.
Industry representatives had argued that the switch required more time due to technical upgrades and installation delays. However, the court dismissed these pleas, underlining that environmental obligations cannot be indefinitely postponed. Experts note that the bakery industry’s dependence on coal and wood not only fuels particulate emissions but also poses fire hazards in densely populated neighbourhoods. The civic body has also highlighted the lack of uptake of financial relief schemes that could have eased the transition. Mahanagar Gas Limited waived the security deposit in February to encourage bakers to adopt PNG, while the central government’s food processing enterprise scheme offers a 35 per cent rebate. Yet, officials confirm that only two bakeries applied for these benefits, signalling either reluctance or lack of awareness within the sector.
Civic officials maintain that the enforcement is not meant to disrupt livelihoods but to safeguard the city’s health and climate commitments. “Businesses will be allowed to reopen only after shifting to approved clean fuels,” an official clarified, emphasising that Mumbai cannot compromise its clean-air goals. The episode highlights a larger challenge facing Indian cities—balancing traditional businesses with sustainability imperatives. While small-scale enterprises remain critical to urban economies, experts argue that transition to clean energy is both inevitable and essential for ensuring safer, more liveable cities. For Mumbai, the bakery sector’s compliance may set a precedent for other small industries to align with the city’s green trajectory.
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