Bombay High Court condemns Maharashtra's inaction on illegal political hoardings
- Mumbai has seen a rise in political hoardings after the state assembly elections, continuing even after the elections ended.
- The BMC is yet to finalize a policy to regulate these advertisements, despite a court directive and ongoing public concern.
- The lack of action against illegal hoardings raises questions about the effectiveness of local governance in addressing public safety.
In Mumbai, following the recent state assembly elections, a surge in political hoardings has been observed, with many displaying messages that praise newly elected representatives. Despite this increase, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not yet implemented a comprehensive 'Outdoor Advertisement Display' policy, originally drafted in response to a tragic billboard collapse in Ghatkopar that killed 17 people. The lack of action by the BMC came under fire from the Bombay High Court, which urged the authorities to take the court's directives on illegal advertising more seriously and enforce regulations effectively. The BMC's proposed policy was created in light of ongoing safety concerns surrounding unregulated hoardings and is designed to mandate written consent for all outdoor advertisements. Currently, a significant number of hoardings are unauthorized, with approximately 15,000 to 20,000 removed annually - a practice that intensifies during election seasons or festive periods. Activists and citizens have expressed their frustration over the government’s apparent negligence in tackling this issue and the continued presence of illegal displays in Mumbai’s urban landscape. Despite the court's warning and public outcry, the BMC has faced challenges in executing its policy, partly due to the model code of conduct established for the state assembly election, which restricted many activities including the removal of political banners. Municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani mentioned that while efforts to remove illegal hoardings are being made, new banners are consistently being put up shortly after their removal. This ongoing cycle raises concerns about the BMC's commitment to enforcing the proposed regulations. Additionally, a backlog of 381 suggestions and objections regarding the draft policy awaits review. These contributions have come from various stakeholders, including citizens, activist groups, and advertisers, indicating a diverse range of opinions on how best to regulate outdoor advertisements in Mumbai. The BMC aims to finalize the policy soon, but the success of implementation remains uncertain amidst public skepticism about the authorities' ability to tackle the issue effectively.