Mumbai: Former Corporator Makarand Narwekar Requests BMC To Exempt Irani Cafes From Charcoal Ban

Irani cafes and bakeries are very famous in Mumbai for their appetizing delicacies. These cafes play a major role in the food culture of Mumbai. These cafes might lose flavors of some appetizers as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is asking cafes and restaurants around the city to use green fuel instead of charcoal and tandoors to curd air pollution, as directed by the Bombay High Court on January 9. Former Corporator Makarand Narwekar appealed to the BMC to exempt Irani Cafes from this ban as it will hamper their authenticity.

After the court gave its directive, the civic body issued a circular banning use of fossil fuels in traditional cooking methods of all the eateries, restaurants, and cafes across Mumbai. BMC has sent notices to more than 80% of the eateries asking them to switch to green fuels while cooking by July 8, 2025 or they will have to face legal penalties. The court ordered that instead of charcoal, wood-fired ovens, and other conventional fuels, cafe owners can use LPG, PNG, CNG, or electric stoves & ovens to cook.

But this will lead to change in food flavor of Irani Cafes hence Former Corporator Makarand Narwekar wrote a letter to BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani urging to exempt Irani Cafes from this ban. He also requested him to give these establishments a heritage status, recognizing their cultural values.

Also Read: Mumbai: BMC Directs City Eateries to Replace Coal Tandoors with Electric Stoves by July 2025

In his letter he said that the wood-fired ovens that these cafes have been using for more than a century are a significant element of their history. These cafes' wood and charcoal-based ovens are directly responsible for the unique flavour and scent of their baked items. The food, which the customers have enjoyed for generations, will taste different in non-wood or coal ovens.

Iranian cafes, according to Narwekar, are more than just restaurants; they are a vital component of Mumbal's culinary heritage. They have their roots in the 19th century, when Zoroastrian Iranian immigrants brought their culinary customs to Mumbai. These cafés, which provide a place where people from all walks of life can gather and savour a warm cup of chai, freshly baked bread, and other treats, have come to represent the city's global identity. In addition to being somewhere to dine, these cafés embody Mumbai's collective history and spirit, adding to the city's distinct charm and personality, he said in his letter.