Скачать или смотреть Why Mumbai's iconic pao is all set to change

A quintessential element in Mumbai’s street food, the pao, part of various dishes like vada pao, samosa pao and pao bhaji, is about to change. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, in an effort to curb air pollution, has ordered nearly 650 bakeries in the city to switch from wood-fired and charcoal ovens to electric ones within six months.

Bakers warn that the move will change the signature flavour of pao, which they say can only come from being baked in wood-fired ovens. Some also point out that the higher cost of cleaner fuels and the reduced capacity of new ovens will push up the price of a pao.

The Bombay HC has refused to extend stay for bakeries to transition. Ones using wood fired ovens will have to shut down or transition.

Anwar Khan, who delivers pao to various shops and vendors across the city, said that the increased cost will affect the poor the most. “If the cost of vada pao increases from Rs 20 to Rs 30, who will be able to afford it?”

Subscribe to Scroll's YouTube channel and turn on your notifications, so you don't miss new videos.

For more explainers, and the web’s most interesting videos - https://scroll.in/video/

For the latest news and analysis - https://scroll.in

Support our award-winning journalism by making a financial contribution towards the Scroll Ground Reporting Fund - https://scroll.in/contribute

Follow Scroll.in here -
Facebook:   / scroll.in  
Twitter:   / scroll_in  
Instagram:   / scroll_in  
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@scroll_in
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/scroll.in