India, Feb. 20 -- Close on the heels of charcoal merchants and restaurants opposing the BMC ban on charcoal tandoors, city bakers too have expressed concern about the BMC notice and court order to change their fuel from the traditional wood fire/ diesel to gas or electricity. The India Bakers' Association (IBA) has pointed out in writing to MLA Rahul Narwekar that many of its bakeries have operated for over five decades, some for a century, and traditional pav, a staple food of Mumbaikars, has always been baked in wood-fired ovens or bhattis.

"These bhattis have a dome structure made with bricks and mortar and are suited for wood firing as the only source of heat," states IBA president Khodad Irani in the letter. "Each oven has a dimensi...