BMC removes hoardings, only selectively: Activists

With every available inch of space in the city being used for putting up self-praising banners and posters, it seems politicians and Ganesh mandals have taken the civic body for a ride. Although mandals were allowed to put up such banners and hoardings up to 100 metres near the pandals this year, there have been rampant violations of the relaxation.

However, the licence department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is reponsible for giving permissions for hoardings, claims that in the last eight days, it has taken action against more than 250 offenders and have registered FIRs at various police stations. 

But activists alleged that the civic body has been selective about which banners and hoardings are to be removed. “One feels that the action taken by the staff is selective and they don’t remove hoardings of big politicians in the area. But posters, banners and hoardings of small, local-level politicians are removed,” said a civic activist who has made several complaints regarding illegal hoardings and banners in Worli and Prabhadevi areas.

The activist alleged that no action was taken against NCP leader Sachin Ahir, saying that hoardings featuring Ahir weren’t  removed for months and that no FIR was registered against him. “Why is the BMC so selective about taking action,” he asked.

However, deputy municipal commissioner (special) Rajendra Bhosale said, “We have been very strict regarding illegal hoardings for the last six months and have started taking action against all offenders. We will not spare anyone.”

He confirmed registering FIRs against 250 people across the city and suburbs. Defending the licence department he said, “Our staff is always on the move, and the labourers are given strict instructions to remove illegal hoardings, no matter what.”

For the first time, this year, top BMC officials visited wards and met senior police inspectors of local police stations, and requested them to register FIRs under the Prevention of Defacement of Property Law, he said. “Quite a few police stations were reluctant to lodge FIRs,” Bhosale added.

This year, Ganesh mandals sought official relaxation from BMC to put up hoardings, banners and posters within 100 metres of pandals. “This helped mandals raise funds for the celebrations. However, with rising cost of living, inflation and in the times of financial crisis people have started contributing less money. So, if the mandals are allowed to put up banners, they can earn money,” said a senior civic official.

Only way to earn
This year, Ganesh mandals sought official relaxation from BMC to put up hoardings and posters within 100 metres of pandals. “This helped mandals raise funds for the celebrations. However, with rising cost of living, inflation and in the times of financial crisis people have started contributing less money. So, if the mandals are allowed to put up banners, they can earn money,” said a senior civic official