BMC Takes Down Over 33,000 Illegal Banners in 10 months

In a significant crackdown, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed 33,742 unlawful banners and posters from January to October this year. This figure is double the 16,360 illegal banners removed in the entire previous year.

The civic authorities also filed 378 cases with the police, but only 15 FIRs were filed. The Mumbai police were also requested by the BMC to increase surveillance, especially during the night, to prevent the city from being defaced by unlawful banners.

Mumbai has long been facing the problem of illegal posters. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took serious note of the situation and instructed municipal officials to take consistent action against unauthorised banners. Hence, the BMC started conducting special drives frequently, particularly post-holidays.

The months of September and October witnessed the highest removals of illegal banners, with 9,802 and 8,226 removed, respectively.

As per the official BMC data, the removed banners included 19,580 religious, 11,041 political, and 3,121 commercial banners. Additionally, around 2,889 political party flags were taken down from various city locations. Upscale districts like Kandivali, Andheri, Santacruz, Bandra, and Bhandup were the most affected areas. Out of 801 incidents that led to prosecutions, 378 cases were reported to police stations, and 15 FIRs were filed.

Sometimes, municipal staff faces backlash from political party workers. For this, the BMC has written to the police commissioner to increase night vigils and take strict action against offenders. Deepak Kesarkar, the Minister of the Mumbai Guardian, also affirmed that the state government will establish guidelines for raising banners in Mumbai.

Upon removal of the banners, the civic body photographs them and files a Defacement Act complaint against the person named on them. Illegal commercial hoarding can lead to an INR 5,000 penalty imposed by the Metropolitan Magistrate's court. The Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995, is the basis for the police complaints, which carry a maximum penalty of an INR 2,000 fine, three months in jail, or both. 

Each year, the civic body removes between 15,000 and 20,000 hoardings and banners, 45% of which are for celebrations or to wish a political figure a happy birthday.