Mumbai: BMC Urges Compliance with High Court Order on Unauthorized Public Advertisements
Mumbai, 25th January 2024: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a public appeal, urging citizens, social organizations, and political parties to refrain from placing hoardings, banners, or posters on public roads and footpaths in Mumbai without obtaining prior permission. This directive is in line with an order from the Bombay High Court that prohibits the unauthorized display of such promotional materials in Mumbai City and its eastern and western suburbs.
The BMC’s licensing department regularly conducts campaigns to remove unauthorized hoardings, banners, and posters in the metropolis, taking appropriate actions against those involved. Despite these efforts, the BMC administration continues to stress the importance of obtaining prior permission before displaying any such materials. The official list of approved billboards is available for public reference on the BMC’s website, www.mcgm.gov.in.
In adherence to the High Court’s directions outlined in Public Interest Litigation Nos. 37/2010 and 155/2011, unauthorized advertisements, notice boards, hoardings, and posters are strictly prohibited. A recent meeting of the state-level committee, chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), reviewed the actions taken in this regard.
It is emphasized that the placement of hoardings, banners, or posters on public roads and footpaths within the BMC’s jurisdiction without prior permission is a violation. Legal actions, including provisions under the ‘Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act-1995’ and Section 328/328-A, 471 of the ‘Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act 1988,’ may be taken against individuals or organizations violating these regulations. Legal consequences may involve filing cases and court suits against the offenders.
