Mumbai: BMC took action against 48,000 illegal billboards in 2023

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) claimed in the High Court on Wednesday that action was taken against around 48,000 illegal hoardings in Mumbai last year and a case was filed in 22 of them. However, the court ironically asked the BMC whether this action is satisfactory by pointing at the discrepancy between the number of boards that have been acted upon and the number of cases that have been registered. Among the illegal billboards taken into action during the last year are 10,839 political, 4,551 commercial and about 32,481 illegal billboards.The court also raised questions about the action taken by the civic body. A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Arif Doctor also told the civic body that if one takes a tour of the current situation in the city, rampant illegal hoardings can be seen on footpaths, street lights and trees. Senior advocate Anil Sakhre and lawyer Kejali Mastkar on behalf of the BMC claimed that the municipal authorities are conducting daily inspections and action is being taken against the illegal boards. Apart from this, out of the actions taken during the year, reports regarding 410 illegal hoardings were sent to the police and the police registered crimes in 22 of them, the court was told by the corporation. However, the court again expressed displeasure over the number of cases registered. sidewalks, trees and street lights. Also, the court urged that not only the efforts made by the municipality and the government are not enough to solve this problem, but the general public should not encourage such illegal activities. Considering the nature of the problem of illegal hoarding that has plagued the city, citizens should make an effort to curb this hoarding that can harm the lives of others. The bench also said that they should prevent such plagiarism without encouraging it. The court also remarked at this time that it is beyond comprehension how any group can put up boards on street lights.Also Read: Mumbai's Air Quality Improved To Satisfactory Levels For 2 Consecutive Days

Public places cannot be used for profit

No person or group of persons shall be legally permitted to use public places like footpaths, roads etc. mainly for political parties or commercial organisations or any religious group for their personal gain and advertisement especially considering the dangers posed by putting up such hoardings. A bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay also clarified that such hoarding causes inconvenience to pedestrians and road users.

Question on the role of political parties

Almost all the political parties have given an undertaking in the court that they will not participate in any illegal activity like illegal placarding. Meanwhile, the court expressed displeasure that no representative of any party was present in the court. Also, the petitioners were ordered to issue notices to the respondent political parties.