Mumbai, February 18, 2025: The Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has planned to ban traditional tandoors, which has led to anger in the city's restaurant and hotel industry. Municipal officials say that wood and coal-fired tandoors are increasing air pollution, so they need to be replaced with gas-powered tandoors.
Restaurants and chefs opposed
This decision has been strongly opposed by chefs, restaurant owners and people associated with the food industry. They say that tandoori dishes are an important part of Indian cuisine and dishes cooked in traditional tandoors have a completely different taste from food cooked in gas or electric ovens.
The president of the Restaurant Association of Mumbai says:
"Tandoor is the soul of Indian cuisine. Without a tandoor, naan, roti, kebabs and many other famous dishes will not have their original aroma and taste. If pollution is the problem, we should find a balanced solution, not a blanket ban."
Traditional tandoor vs gas tandoor
- Traditional tandoors use coal and wood, which gives dishes a distinctive smoky and earthy aroma.
- Gas tandoors are less polluting, but do not provide the same taste and texture as traditional tandoors.
- Many famous chefs say that if wood or coal-fired tandoors are completely removed, the authentic taste of Indian food will be affected.
Pollution vs cultural heritage
BMC officials say that this step is being taken to reduce air pollution and protect the environment. But people who use tandoors are calling it an attack on culture and tradition.
What will be the solution?
At present, talks are going on between the restaurant owners and the municipal corporation. Hotel and restaurant associations are demanding a reconsideration of this decision and are appealing to the government to find a balanced solution.
Will the taste of tandoori roti and kebabs change in the streets of Mumbai now? To see this, everyone's eyes are fixed on the next decision of the Municipal Corporation.
