Mumbai: MPCB, BMC Mulling Over Granting Subsidy To Bakery Owners For Conversion To Green Fuels

Mumbai: In a major step that could expedite the process and ease the financial burden of bakeries using coal and wood to convert into green fuels, the authorities are considering to grant subsidy to the bakery owners. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is mulling over to grant post execution subsidy to bakeries to convert into CNG/PNG.

Mumbai still has around 350 bakeries which use coal and wood, and as per Bombay High Court directions, the authorities have to ensure all bakeries are converted into green fuels.

Bakeries are one of the major source of air pollution in Mumbai and the HC recently slammed the authorities for their casual approach towards curbing sources of pollution.

“Out of 815 legal bakeries, 356 still use coal and wood. As per HC directions, the bakeries have to mandatorily convert into using CNG/PNG by year end. Although many bakeries have started converting, several are hesitant because of the expenditure,” said a senior BMC officer.

"In a way to ease their financial burden, the MPCB and BMC is considering to grant subsidy. However, the amount will be deposited after execution. We are working towards sending state government proposal to provide funds under 15th pay commission,” the officer said.

The officer added that there needs to be a policy for granting subsidy to the bakeries and the BMC is in the process to make guidelines. The study is expected to be completed by next month, however, the finalisation of the policy will take time.

MPCB Member Secretary Avinash Dhakne confirmed that the board has suggested BMC to consider granting subsidy to the bakeries to convert into green fuels. “All bakeries in Mumbai have to compulsorily convert into CNG/PNG within the given deadline. If BMC agrees to the proposal, MPCB will bear 50% of the subsidy BMC is bearing.” Dhakne said.

However, BMC says if the proposal is cleared, the MPCB and BMC will bear equal subsidy. The HC in its recent judgement directed the BMC to ensure all bakeries in Mumbai are converted into using green fuels within six months, instead of early deadline of one year.

Bakeries using coal and wood are not only one of the major source of air pollution in the city, but the cheap wood used to save money, emits highest PM2.5 pollutant, the easily breathable matter, which is very harmful.

As part of its immediate measures, the BMC recently also started the procedure of prosecution against 102 illegal bakeries in Mumbai. In the next HC hearing, scheduled on February 13, the BMC will give update on actions taken against to address air pollution in the city.