The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMMC) has directed all bakeries, hotels, eateries, and street food stalls to switch to cleaner and greener fuels like CNG and PNG by July 8, 2025, or face strict action. This move complies with a High Court order that mandates these establishments to adopt green fuels.
According to the BMC, just as dust from construction sites contributes to air pollution, the use of wood and coal in bakeries, hotels, eateries, and street food stalls significantly impacts air quality. Given this, transitioning to clean fuels is crucial for protecting the environment and safeguarding public health.
In a hearing on January 9, 2025, the Bombay High Court directed all businesses using wood and coal fuel to transition to clean alternatives within six months. Failure to comply will result in strict action from the authorities.
The Impact of Air Pollution
Globally, air pollution causes approximately 8.1 million deaths annually. In Mumbai, air pollution spikes sharply after October, particularly during winter. While dust from construction sites is a major contributor, other small-scale sources also play a role.
To combat dust pollution, BMC implemented a standardized action plan with 29 guiding principles under the leadership of Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi, yielding effective results.
The Role of Wood and Coal in Air Pollution
Beyond dust, hazardous air pollutants increase the risk of lung diseases, heart conditions, and other ailments. Businesses using wood and coal as fuel—including bakeries, hotels, eateries, street food vendors, and tandoor-based cooking units—are major contributors to air pollution in Mumbai. Many of these establishments even burn low-grade wood and discarded furniture, releasing toxic gases that harm public health.
Recognizing the severity of this pollution, the Hon’ble High Court mandated a complete transition from wood and coal fuel to cleaner alternatives by July 8, 2025. The court also instructed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and BMC to take action against non-compliant businesses.
BMC’s Call to Action
Under the directives of Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City), the BMC’s Environment Department has expedited efforts to enforce this transition. The BMC urges all bakeries, hotels, eateries, street food vendors, and tandoor-based businesses to comply with the High Court’s order by permanently discontinuing the use of wood and coal as fuel.
Instead, businesses should adopt clean and green fuels like CNG and PNG. The deadline for this transition is July 8, 2025. Establishments failing to comply will face strict legal action.
Notably, 29 bakeries in Mumbai have already voluntarily switched to green fuel in the past three months. The BMC encourages others to follow their example for a cleaner and healthier city.
