Mumbai: With less than 15 days remaining for the deadline given by Bombay High court to ensure all bakeries in Mumbai run using coal/wood/petrol/diesel to convert to enviornment-friendly fuels, the BMC will be able to ensure that only 75 bakeries are successfully transitioned.
Out of 353 polluting bakeries, 48 have successfully transitioned to PNG/electric, while remaining are in final stage of completing the transition, the officials from BMC's enviornment department said.
The officials added that talks with owners of 150 bakeries are underway to start the process of conversion soon, but 132 remain pending. "Action such as penalty and closure shall be initiated against the bakeries which do not comply to HC directives," said officer said.
The FPJ had reported on June 23 that after the deadline of July 9, the BMC will issue showcause notices to the defaulting bakeries failing to comply with the HC orders and later initiative to process of closure.
The BMC came into action after the HC on January 9 slammed the authorities including the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board on their casual approach towards curbing the sources of air pollution in Mumbai.
Bakeries using coal and wood are one of major sources of air pollution and this HC had given timeline of six months to ensure their conversation to green fuels. According, the deadline ends on July 9.
Out of the 1,064 licensed bakeries in Mumbai, 490 are currently non-operational, while out of the 574 functioning bakeries, 221 have already adopted eco-friendly fuel. Notices were issued to remaining 353 bakeries running on coal, wood, diesel or petrol, all of which are harmful to the environment.
Meanwhile, Mumbai's Gaurdian minister Ashish Shelar on Wednesday said that various measures are currently being undertaken to control air pollution in Mumbai, and even the judiciary has proposed some steps to improve the city's Air Quality Index (AQI).
"The issue of polluting bakeries in Mumbai is under consideration by the HC. Accordingly, the MPCB and BMC are working in coordination," he said.
Minister Shekar directed that the bakeries in Mumbai that continue to operate using coal, diesel, or firewood must be swiftly transitioned to using environmentally friendly fuels, and the BMC should take the lead and announce a time-bound action plan along with a comprehensive policy.
Shelar also suggested that a special incentive scheme should be launched, supported jointly by a 50% subsidy from the MPCB and financial assistance from the BMC, to help the remaining 132 bakeries make the transition. This would ensure that a compliance report can be submitted to the court within the stipulated timeframe.
He further emphasized the need to pay special attention to the 490 licensed but currently closed bakeries, and proposed that these licenses should be made available to young entrepreneurs interested in entering the bakery business through start-up schemes.
