BMC removes 52,448 unauthorised banners, flex boards and posters in Mumbai by October 16

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has removed 52,448 unauthorised banners, flex boards and posters from the city between January 1 and October 16 under its Flex-Free Mumbai campaign. The campaign is still under way.

Despite the drive, residents say political banners, party flags and promotional displays are still visible on roads, footpaths and public spaces across the city. People from Dadar and Shivaji Park to Worli, Bandra and other suburban areas have raised concerns. They say the displays obstruct pedestrians, cover particular spots and endanger road safety. Similar complaints have come from the Western Express Highway and Bandra East, especially around the District Collector's office and Chetana College.

Residents say new banners go up as fast as the civic authorities remove unauthorised displays. This raises questions about how effectively the law is being enforced.

Between October 8 and 16, the BMC ran a special enforcement drive. It removed 3,537 unauthorised advertisements, including banners, posters, flex boards and flags. Legal action has also begun against those who violated advertising rules. Four FIRs have been registered at police stations on complaints from the BMC's licensing department. The BMC has also given police complaints in 333 other cases for further legal action against alleged violators.

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has said the campaign will continue until the end of the year. Its focus will be on preventing the defacement of public spaces and ensuring civic rules are followed.

Residents of Bandra East say they have begun speaking directly to political representatives to stop banners and flex boards going up in their neighbourhood. They believe political parties, event organisers and commercial advertisers should take more responsibility, so that banners go up only with the required permission. People also want banners and promotional material removed immediately after political rallies, festivals and public events end.

To improve monitoring and to tell permitted advertisements apart from illegal displays, the BMC is considering making QR codes mandatory on authorised banners and advertising boards. Under the proposed system, civic officials and the public could verify whether a display has the required approval. Once in force, the method could make the identification of unauthorised advertisements, and action against them, more transparent.

The civic administration has told officials to respond promptly to public complaints and remove illegal displays. Bhide has also directed the departments concerned to act against printing presses and advertising agencies that produce material without the required permission. The licensing, maintenance and anti-encroachment departments are expected to work together.

The Maharashtra Property Defacement Prevention Act, 1995 provides for legal action against unauthorised banners, posters and other material that deface public property. Depending on the rules applicable, violators can face up to three months in jail or a fine.

Removing more than 52,000 banners is a major enforcement effort. Even so, residents say a clean, safe and truly flex-free city will need continuous monitoring, legal action against repeat violators and greater accountability from political parties and advertisers.