Civic body to crack down on bakeries

Mumbai: The BMC will undertake a review of all bakeries in the city from the first week of June onwards. The decision follows Wednesday's tragedy at Trombay's Cheeta Camp where a cylinder exploded in a bakery, operating an illegal factory, killing five people and injuring 43. In the first step of the initiative, the heath department will identify and survey bakeries across the city. "We have decided to identify all bakeries and see if they are complying with all the necessary conditions. We are in the process of finalizing the protocol," said additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar. 

    The issue of safety measures in bakeries had been brought up earlier this month by the BMC's health committee. Members had demanded a review of all bakeries because they thought that several of them were functioning without authorization or licences. The health committee has also decided to go launch a drive against illegal bakeries operating near hospitals. "We have received many complaints of unhygienic bakeries that are causing a nuisance to residents because of the smoke they emit. We need to see how many of them are operating without the necessary licences and penalize them," said health committee chairman Geeta Gawli. 

    A civic official said that bakeries need to shop and establishments licences to operate. It is necessary to get a no-objection certificate from the buildings and factory department and the chief fire officer. An environmental clearance is also required. "We will serve notices to bakeries that are flouting norms and ask them to comply with the rules. If they don't, the owners will be prosecuted," said executive health officer Anil Bandivadekar. 

Explosion Fallout 

BMC officials have razed the illegal bakery structure at Cheeta Camp 

Of the 14 cylinders seized, five were meant only for domestic use. Fire officials clearing debris say there could be more cylinders 

Mahamad Ansari, who runs the bakery, has been remanded in police custody till June 8

HAZARD: The BMC's health department had served a notice to the bakery owner on March 12 for unauthorized construction