Mumbai is preparing for a significant shift in its traditional bakery sector as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) moves to fast-track the transition from coal and wood ovens to cleaner fuel alternatives. On 18 September, the civic body will conduct a dedicated workshop for 160 bakeries that are ready to adopt green fuel solutions, following a directive from the Bombay High Court that has set strict deadlines for compliance.
The workshop, scheduled at the Byculla Zoo’s Penguin Exhibit, marks the most coordinated civic intervention yet in guiding bakeries towards sustainable practices. Civic officials confirmed that representatives from the Planning and Environment Department, along with technical experts from Mahanagar Gas, will be present to assist bakery owners in filing applications and accessing government schemes that ease the financial burden of conversion. The urgency stems from a series of legal interventions. Notices were first issued in October 2024 to bakeries using coal or wood-fired ovens, asking them to make the switch by March 2025. However, compliance remained dismal, with only 32 bakeries transitioning to cleaner fuels in time. The High Court later extended the deadline to July 8, 2025, but declined further extensions, compelling BMC to step up enforcement measures.
Data from the Environment Department shows that while 209 bakeries have begun the process of conversion, 290 establishments are yet to initiate changes. Of the 160 bakeries now shortlisted for immediate transition, 36 have already submitted applications for electric ovens or LPG-based operations. The remaining are eligible and have been instructed to complete documentation during the upcoming workshop. Officials emphasised that the workshop is not merely procedural but also educational. By offering on-ground assistance and clarity on financial support, the civic body hopes to address long-standing concerns raised by small-scale bakers about the high costs of switching to cleaner technologies. Civic experts highlighted that adopting LPG, PNG, or electric ovens not only reduces air pollution but also modernises operations, ensuring energy efficiency and improved working conditions for bakery workers.
For Mumbai, where bakeries form part of the city’s cultural and culinary fabric, the shift carries both environmental and social significance. Coal and wood-based ovens are major contributors to particulate emissions, posing risks to air quality and public health. Transitioning to green fuels aligns with the city’s broader vision of creating eco-friendly and equitable urban systems. While the bakery associations had initially sought more time, arguing that conversion required significant investment, the High Court’s firm stance underscores the urgency of protecting public health. The outcome of the workshop will likely determine how swiftly Mumbai’s bakery sector can embrace this change. For the city, it represents not just compliance with judicial directives but a step towards cleaner skies and sustainable livelihoods.
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