Mumbai: The Bakeries Association has requested a one-year extension and financial subsidies to meet the BMC's July 8 deadline for switching to cleaner fuels. While Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) waived security deposits for gas pipelines, infrastructure costs remain a challenge.
With BMC support, the association will now apply for subsidies under the Prime Minister's Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme and file a review petition in court for an extension.
On Monday, the members of the Bakeries Association in Mumbai along with Samajwadi Party's MLA Rais Shaikh met the municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani in BMC headquarters. The meeting was also attended by Mumbai Fire Brigade officials and representatives of MGL.
Mumbai bakeries seek extension, subsidies for PNG transition | File Photo
"MGL officials have agreed to map the city's existing infrastructure to facilitate the fuel switch. Also, it has been decided that there will be no need to renew health licenses due to the fuel change. Businesses will also receive a 30% subsidy under the PM Formalisation of Food Processing Enterprises Scheme, matched by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), ensuring minimal impact on operations," said Shaikh.
Khodada Irani, President of the Indian Bakers Association, stated, "The time allocated to convert our firewood-based ovens to PNG is inadequate, particularly as we also need to replace the ovens. We have requested BMC to present this issue to the court and are filing a review petition for a one-year extension."
M. Yakub, President of the Bombay Bakers Association, added, "We have requested BMC's assistance in securing a subsidy for the conversion, and they have agreed to help."
The BMC has begun issuing notices to eateries and bakeries that use coal and wood, urging them to switch to cleaner, more environmentally friendly fuels in compliance with a Bombay High Court order. A total of 683 establishments have received notices, including 269 bakeries and 414 eateries, restaurants, and hotels using coal and wood.
Last year, the Bombay Environmental Action Group (BEAG) conducted a six-month study that revealed 47.10% of the 200 surveyed registered bakeries predominantly use wood as fuel. This wood is often sourced cheaply as scrap from old furniture and dilapidated buildings, rather than from logwood. Additionally, the ash generated by wood-fired bakeries is frequently disposed of in dumping grounds, further contributing to air pollution.
