Mumbai: In a stern action against the hotels and restaurants in the city using charcoal tandoors and wood, the BMC has issued notices to 414 establishments as of Thursday, February 27, giving them an ultimatum of six months to convert to green fuels. Apart from this, 269 bakeries that use coal and wood have also been issued notices.
“The notices are served by the health department in compliance with the Bombay High Court order of January 9 directing BMC to ensure commercial eateries, dhabas, hotels, restaurants and tandoor establishments which are using coal, wood or any other conventional fuels transit to cleaner energy sources such as LPG, PNG, CNG, electrical energy etc. Accordingly, the non-compliant establishments need to convert by July 9,” a senior officer from the environment department said.
As of Thursday, maximum notices are served in G-South ward (Lower Parel, Elphinstone Road, Worli) and E ward (Byculla, Nagpada) with 112 notices in each ward, followed by L ward (Kurla) with notices served to 89 establishments, including bakeries and restaurants.
Although the actions are taken as immediate measures to curb air pollution in Mumbai following the HC order, the BMC has not yet served any notice to wards like M-East (Deonar, Govandi, Mankhurd), K-West ward (Andheri, Vile Parle West), A ward (Colaba), R-North (Dahisar) and others which had topped the list of poor Air Quality Index.
Speaking with FPJ, the BMC officer added that more notices will be served as the health officers in certain wards are yet to conduct the inspection. “BMC also held a meeting with the bakery association president on Thursday and we have promised them to assist in converting to green fuels,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association (AHAR) is up in arms against the BMC’s notices. AHAR’s president Sudharkar Shetty said, “As per point 15 of the HC order, only bakeries are told to convert to green fuels. The BMC should have consulted with the Restaurants and Hotel Association, a major stakeholder, before issuing notices to tandoor bhattis within six months. Many hotels and restaurants have approached our office. We are drafting a letter with the consultation of our lawyers and will meet the BMC urging to find out a middle way. We support environment friendly activities and respect HC order, however, the directions are unclear for restaurants and hotels.”
Shetty added that BMC should first take action against unauthorized food stalls mushrooming in Mumbai, which create more air pollution than well-maintained, licensed restaurants. Meanwhile, the Bombay Charcoal Merchant’s Association has already expressed its opposition to compulsory conversion to CNG/PNG, saying that the step will affect the livelihood of charcoal merchants.
POINTERS:
-Number of bakeries to whom notices issued: 269
-Number of hotels, including restaurants, dhabas and outside eat outs to whom notices issued: 414
-Total notices issued as of Feb 27: 683 (bakeries + hotels)
Wards where highest notices are issued, including bakeries and hotels
G-South (Lower Parel, Elphinstone Road, Worli): 212
E ward (Byculla, Nagpada): 212
L ward (Kurla): 89
Some of the establishments to whom notices issued:
Kanakia Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd, Andheri East
Tiffany’s, Santacruz East
Cozy Corner Restaurant and Bar, Santacruz East
Gopal Krishna Restaurant, Santacruz East
M/s Vishwasmith, Krishna Restaurant, Andheri East
Hotel Vihar, Santacruz East
Ujala Restaurant and Bar, Bandra East
Hotel Savaji, Government colony, Bandra
Craftbar, Bandra East
