Pune Civic Body Cracks Down on Eateries Defying Green Fuel Transition
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued a stern warning to bakeries, hotels, restaurants, food stalls, dhabas, and tandoor hotels across the city, threatening legal action for their failure to transition to green fuels. This move comes in response to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) guidelines that mandated a shift away from traditional wood and charcoal usage within a year to combat air pollution.
Deadline Lapsed, Compliance Lacking
On February 13, 2024, the MPCB directed all food establishments to adopt environmentally friendly alternatives such as LPG, PNG, or electricity for cooking and baking purposes. The one-year grace period has now elapsed, yet many eateries continue to operate with conventional fuels, prompting the PMC to initiate surprise inspections and enforce penalties.
Prithviraj B P, Additional Municipal Commissioner of PMC, emphasized, "The MPCB deadline to shift to green fuel from wood or charcoal use for cooking and baking is over. Thus, all bakeries, hotels, restaurants, food stalls, dhabas, and tandoor hotels should shift to using green fuels. The civic administration will start surprise inspection and those found violating the MPCB guidelines will have to face legal action."
Enforcement Strategy and Challenges
Ganesh Sonune, Environment Officer at PMC, outlined the enforcement strategy, stating that all 15 ward offices have been instructed to monitor these establishments regularly. "Action should be taken against all those still using wood or charcoal," he asserted. The process will involve issuing notices followed by sealing the premises, with Sonune noting that sufficient time had been provided for compliance.
Sonune expressed concern over the lackadaisical attitude of many food businesses, remarking, "It has been observed that the bakeries, hotels, restaurants, food stalls, dhabas, and tandoor hotels are not taking MPCB guidelines seriously, and not shifting completely to green fuel."
PMC Struggles with Illicit Operations
Compounding the enforcement challenge is PMC's difficulty in determining the exact number of bakeries and eateries in Pune, as a significant portion operates illegally. A civic officer revealed, "It has been a year since PMC has been trying to find the exact number of bakeries operational in the civic jurisdiction. We have received information from the Bakery Association that 750 registered bakeries are operational in the city, and 250 are in the city’s suburbs. However, their addresses are not known."
This opacity hampers effective regulation and underscores the broader issue of unregistered food establishments evading civic oversight. The PMC's crackdown aims not only to enforce environmental norms but also to bring these clandestine operations into the regulatory fold.
Broader Implications for Urban Sustainability
The push for green fuel adoption aligns with broader efforts to mitigate air pollution in Pune, a city grappling with deteriorating air quality due to industrial and vehicular emissions. Traditional cooking methods using wood and charcoal contribute significantly to particulate matter and smoke, exacerbating public health concerns.
By targeting the food sector, the PMC seeks to foster a culture of compliance with sustainability mandates. However, the success of this initiative hinges on overcoming logistical hurdles, including identifying illegal establishments and ensuring equitable enforcement across all wards.
As Pune continues to urbanize, balancing economic activities with environmental stewardship remains a critical challenge. The current crackdown on non-compliant eateries represents a pivotal step toward achieving cleaner air and promoting responsible business practices in the city's vibrant food industry.
