The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has intensified its crackdown on unauthorized advertisements in the city's southern precincts. The civic body's licensing department has officially registered cases against unidentified individuals at three prominent police stations: Gamdevi, Malabar Hill, and D B Marg, all located in south Mumbai.
Widespread Removal of Illegal Banners
This decisive action follows a targeted two-day operation on January 21 and 22, during which BMC staffers meticulously removed a total of 41 illegal banners that had been affixed to electric poles along various roadways. The civic administration emphasized that these placements blatantly violated municipal regulations, as designated spaces already exist within city limits for temporary advertisements.
Specific Locations Targeted
The cleanup drive focused on several key areas, including:
- Gopalrao Deshmukh Marg (commonly known as Pedder Road)
- Pandita Ramabai Marg
- Bhulabhai Desai Marg
- Walkeshwar and Malabar Hill
- Dr Dadabhai Bhadkamkar Marg
- Maulana Shaukat Ali Marg
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Marg
- Raja Rammohan Roy Marg
Following the removal, formal cases detailing the violations were submitted to the three aforementioned police stations for further investigation and legal proceedings.
Legal Framework and Public Appeal
The BMC's actions are firmly grounded in existing legal statutes. The operation aligns with Bombay High Court directives that explicitly prohibit the display of unauthorized hoardings, banners, or posters in public spaces within municipal boundaries. Furthermore, advertising of any kind on public roads and footpaths under BMC jurisdiction without prior permission is strictly forbidden.
The civic body has a robust legal arsenal at its disposal. Provisions under the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995, and relevant sections of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, empower authorities to take stringent measures. These include filing formal police complaints and initiating court proceedings against violators.
Call for Citizen Cooperation
In a strong appeal to the public, the BMC has urged organizations, associations, and businesses to display advertisements exclusively in BMC-approved locations and only after obtaining proper permission. The administration has warned that strict action will continue unabated against those who illegally erect banners, hoardings, and posters in public places.
To bolster enforcement, the BMC has also encouraged citizens to actively participate in reporting violations. Residents can register complaints against illegal hoardings and banners by contacting the toll-free number 1916, or by reporting incidents through the official civic portal at www.mcgm.gov.in or via the social media handle @mybmc.
This crackdown highlights the civic body's commitment to maintaining urban aesthetics, ensuring public safety by preventing obstruction of views and electrical hazards, and upholding the rule of law in India's financial capital.
