The Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR) is up in arms against the BMC’s ultimatum to restaurants in Mumbai using coal, directing them to convert to PNG/CNG.
“In consultation with lawyers, the association has drafted a letter to be submitted to the BMC’s Health Department, seeking clarification on why notices have been issued to hotels and restaurants when the Bombay High Court order specifically mentions only bakeries. If we do not receive a satisfactory response from the BMC, we will approach the High Court. We were never consulted before these notices were issued,” said Sudhakar Shetty, President of AHAR.
The BMC has issued notices to 414 restaurants in Mumbai that use coal, instructing them to switch to green fuels. Although AHAR interprets the HC order differently, the BMC remains firm on its decision. “The HC order may not explicitly mention hotels and restaurants, but it directs action to curb sources of air pollution, including restricting the use of coal and wood. Restaurants that use tandoors have been served notices to convert to PNG/CNG by July 9. They must comply with the court order and switch to environment-friendly fuels,” a senior BMC official said.
According to documents accessed from the BMC, some well-known eateries in Mumbai (including hotels and restaurants) that have been served notices include the Mumbai University Canteen at Kalina Campus, all kitchens at the National Sports Club of India in Worli, Mayfair Hotel Pvt Ltd (Heritage Hotel), Copper Chimney, and The Stable (Angrezi Dhaba) in Mahalaxmi. Others include Hotel Trilok and New Madras Café in Sion. Several restaurants in Worli’s Atria Mall, such as Global Fusion, Barbeque Nation, and TIERRA, have also been issued notices to convert to green fuels.
In Lower Parel, notices have been served to Angrezi Dhaba, CIRQA 1960, British Brewing Company, antiSocial, Keste Pizzeria, Lord of the Drinks, Smaaash, and Hotel Balsa, among many others. Meanwhile, restaurants such as Konka Kinara, Nanumal Bhojanalay, Hotel Kohinoor Park, and Vows Banquet in Prabhadevi, as well as Barbeque Nation, Yellow Banana, and Asia Kitchen by Mainland China in Bandra Kurla Complex, and Kanakia Hotels and Resorts in Santacruz, are also on the list. Many lunch homes, biryani houses, and resto bars have received similar notices.
Apart from eateries, 269 bakeries that use wood or coal have also been issued notices to switch to green fuels. Some of the affected bakeries include Yazdani Bakery, B. Merwan & Co., and National Bakery.
AHAR’s protest against the BMC’s ultimatum follows a similar protest by bakery associations. On Monday, the association met the Municipal Commissioner, requesting an extension to convert to PNG/CNG. However, the bakery association is likely to approach the High Court to seek more time.
“The BMC is ready to support the restaurant and bakery associations, but we cannot grant an extension. It is the court’s decision. The associations can seek an extension from the HC. However, to lessen the financial burden on bakery owners for converting to green fuels, the BMC is considering granting a subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Yojana,” a BMC official stated.
