Mumbai's BMC directs eateries to shift to CNG, piped gas by July or face action

Mumbai's municipal body - Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation - has issued a directive to roadside vendors, restaurants and eateries under its jurisdiction to shift to cleaner fuels - CNG or piped natural gas- or prepare for strict action.

The move by BMC sparked a rally in the shares of city gas supplier Mahanagar Gas in an otherwise weak session, with the shares of MGL trading higher by 1.5 percent on February 18.

The BMC has issued a directive to local vendors, hotels, restaurants and dhabas not to resort to wood or coal as fuel, and the transition is to be completed by July 8, 2025. The measure is aimed at improving the air quality of the city, which had deteriorated last year after monsoon, in light of high vehicular pollution, increasing construction for housing projects and the ongoing major infrastructure upgrades across the city.

"Strict action will be taken for non-compliance. Establishments must adopt CNG or PNG instead of polluting fuels", BMC’s statement said. The municipal body has also issued notices to 84 establishments that were found to non complying with the requirement. BMC added that it will mark establishments' licences as unfit for renewal, should the compliance is found lacking.