Irani Bakers Association (IBA) has appealed to the state government to make an exemption for wood-fired ovens at Irani bakeries as they are part of Mumbai’s identity. Former BJP corporator Makarand Navrvekar wrote a letter to CM Devendra Fadavis and demanded that heritage status be awarded to these bakeries, most of which have existed for over 60 years.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had issued a notice to all bakeries to convert their oven to electric, LNG or LPG-fired ovens. The civic body set a July 7, 2025, deadline for the change. Perzon Zend, owner of the Yazdani Restaurant & Bakery near Flora Fountain (Fort), said, “We are using hardwood, not plywood or scrap wood. We have a chimney that is more than 30 feet tall. These are traditional firewood bakeries that are part of Mumbai’s identity.”