The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation removed 2,291 illegal banners, boards, posters, wall defacements and flags across Mumbai between October 8 and 13, while registering four first information reports and sending 13 letters to the police for action against unauthorised publicity material.
The drive was conducted by the civic body’s Licensing Department as part of a campaign against illegal banners, boards and posters. The removed material included political, commercial and religious publicity, according to the civic body.
Of the total material removed, 1,442 were illegal banners, 673 were boards, 133 were posters, eight related to wall defacements and 35 were flags. The figures indicate that banners and boards accounted for the bulk of the enforcement action during the six-day drive.
The campaign followed a call by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde for action and fines against individuals and organisations whose photographs or promotional material appeared on unauthorised banners, boards and posters. She also announced a special campaign targeting illegal publicity material across the city.
The civic action comes amid continuing concerns over the proliferation of unauthorised displays in public spaces. Such material can occupy footpaths, road edges, walls and other visible parts of the urban environment, making enforcement dependent on identifying the individuals or organisations responsible and coordinating with the police where criminal action is sought.
BJP Mumbai city president Ameet Satam had earlier urged the mayor to formulate a comprehensive policy to curb the spread of unauthorised banners and hoardings. Satam said illegal boards and banners continued to appear despite clear directions issued by the High Court.
The BMC’s latest figures show that the enforcement drive covered multiple categories of publicity material rather than only large hoardings. The four FIRs and 13 letters sent to the police represent the related action reported by the Licensing Department, while the civic body carried out the physical removal of the material.
The drive also places the question of responsibility at the centre of the city’s anti-defacement efforts. While the material removed included political, commercial and religious displays, the civic announcement did not identify the individuals or organisations linked to the specific banners, boards or posters. Further action will depend on the police process and the implementation of the proposed enforcement measures.
The BMC’s campaign is scheduled to continue as part of the city’s action against unauthorised banners, posters and boards. The civic body has not provided, in the supplied report, a further deadline or a citywide target for removals.
