Mumbai: BMC bans outdoor tandoors to curb air pollution

Failure to comply with the directions might lead to cancellation of licences. Representation pic

Under the mitigation of pollution guidelines, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has decided to ban tandoors outside the hotels. BMC has issued a notice to the "AHAR" Indian Hotels and Restaurant Association. Additional Municipal Commissioner, Dr Sudhakar Shinde confirmed that BMC has issued notice to the AHAR, to ask restaurant owners to stop using it outside the restaurant.

"Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has issued directions under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, regarding the placement of tandoors at the entrance of restaurants or outside the premises. In compliance with these directions and in the interest of environmental protection and public health," read the notice.

As per the notice, failure to comply with these directions may lead to actions as per Section 394 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act, 1888, including but not limited to seizure and cancellation of licences. BMC asked "AHAR" to inform all members.

Meanwhile, Sukesh Shetty, President of the AHAR, told mid-day, "The association recently received notice from BMC about tandoors and we have informed our members about the same. However, most of our members do not keep tandoor outside the hotels. Still, we have asked our members to take the necessary prevention.

BMC published dust mitigation guidelines in October 2023, after the city witnessed the worst air. In the first phase, BMC focused on the implementation guidelines on construction sites and industries.

"We have started visiting hotels, and wherever we found a tandoor outside the restaurant, we asked the management to keep it inside. If we find that the restaurant hasn't complied with the instructions, we will seize the tandoor. If even after that, the situation hasn't changed, a prosecution or action to seal the restaurant will be taken," said a BMC official.