Mumbai: The BMC has mandated that by July 8, all restaurants, dhabas, and bakeries using wood and coal switch to green fuels to combat pollution. However, the political leaders have called for halting actions against Irani cafés and bakeries, urging the city to grant them heritage status. The civic officials emphasised that the shift is being enforced as per Bombay High Court (HC) directives to reduce pollution and protect public health.
The India Bakers' Association (IBA) recently informed MLA Rahul Narwekar that many of its bakeries, some operating for over a century, bake pav in wood-fired ovens. They raised concerns that the HC's January 9 order banning wood and charcoal in commercial kitchens to improve air quality would disrupt the supply of pav, essential for vada pav.
In support, former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging that Mumbai’s iconic Irani cafés and bakeries be exempted from the ban and granted heritage status to preserve their culinary legacy.
In his letter Narwekar said, "Irani Cafes, integral to Mumbai's culinary history since the 19th century, should be granted heritage status to preserve their traditions. The state government should exempt them from the ban on wood and charcoal use."
He cited examples of historic eateries in New York and centuries-old windmills in the Netherlands, which are preserved through similar exemptions to protect cultural heritage. Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh has called for an urgent hearing for bakers, Irani cafes, and bakeries before the BMC’s air pollution control committee.
Along with bakery owners, he recently met with Additional Municipal Commissioner Vipin Sharma, highlighting the lack of piped gas infrastructure in many areas. Shaikh emphasised, "Without the necessary infrastructure, how can bakery owners transition to cleaner alternatives within six months? A meeting with MGL and MPCB should be convened to address this before enforcing the regulations."
Meanwhile, a civic official said, "Bakeries, hotels, restaurants, street food vendors, and tandoor-based businesses in Mumbai often use low-quality wood or broken furniture as fuel, releasing harmful gases that pose serious health risks. These businesses contribute to air pollution, leading to lung disorders, heart diseases, and other ailments. We have not received any directions from state and BMC Administration to stop the action."
