Mumbai: In a massive post-Navratri crackdown, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has removed 7,789 illegal hoardings, banners, posters and flags across the city over the past two days.
The action follows a Bombay High Court warning that civic officials could face departmental inquiries for failing to act on complaints regarding illegal displays.
According to the BMC’s License Department, the drive cleared 5,522 banners, 1,266 hoardings, 508 posters and 493 flags. Many of these had either overstayed their festive approvals or were put up without any permission.
On average, the civic body removes 15,000–20,000 such displays every year, nearly half of which are linked to political birthday wishes or festive events.
The BMC has also introduced a draft “Outdoor Advertisement Display Policy,” requiring written permission for all advertisements. Violators face penalties under the BMC Act, 1888, and the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995, which prescribes up to three months’ jail or a ₹2,000 fine.
The draft policy, framed in September 2024 after the fatal Ghatkopar hoarding collapse that killed 17 people, is still awaiting final approval.
