BMC Launches Campaign to Dismantle Political Banners and Flags Across Mumbai
Mumbai, 9th December 2024: On Saturday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched a campaign to dismantle political banners and flags put up in anticipation of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s swearing-in ceremony. The drive led to the removal of 1,963 banners and flags across Mumbai.
The highest number of banners and flags, 766, were removed from A ward, home to Azad Maidan, the venue for the ceremony. In the lead-up to the swearing-in event on Thursday, a large number of political banners and flags appeared across the city, particularly around Azad Maidan in Ward A. This sparked complaints from citizens who found the displays unsightly, with many voicing concerns about the unauthorized banners obstructing traffic signs and blocking footpaths.
In response to the public outcry, BMC Chief Bhushan Gagrani and Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Joshi ordered a cleanup drive to clear the unauthorized posters and banners. Following the directive, BMC officials removed 912 flags, 583 political banners, and 583 posters. Additionally, 443 religious and social banners were also taken down.
In A Ward (which includes Churchgate and CSMT), 605 flags, 56 political banners, and 105 social event-related boards were removed. Earlier, on Friday, nearly 5,000 kg of garbage was cleared from Azad Maidan and its surroundings.
After A Ward, the S Ward (Bhandup) had the second-highest number of banners removed, totalling 140, followed by the G/North ward (Dadar, Matunga, Mahim) with 106. The drive also resulted in the removal of 15 unauthorized commercial banners.
