BMC removes about 10,928 illegal banners, boards and posters in flex-free drive

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed about 10,928 illegal banners, boards and posters from Mumbai between October 8 and November 3. Some illegal flags were also taken down and graffiti on walls was cleaned. Most of the banners and boards removed were religious or social in nature, followed by those carrying political and then commercial messages.

The most action was taken on October 21, the day after the Dussehra celebrations. That day, 665 banners and 397 boards of a religious or social nature were taken down across the city. Fifty flags were also removed the same day, and 1,756 illegal signs were removed in all. Vigorous action continued on October 22 and 23, when 1,321 and 930 illegal signs respectively were removed across the city.

Officials said there is a simple rule for deciding which category a banner falls into. If a banner carries only a social message or religious greetings, it is counted in that category. But if the text appears with a political party's logo or someone's personal message, the sign is treated as political.

The BMC said punitive action is also being taken against those responsible so that such banners do not spring up again. An official said, "Till Tuesday, November 3, 141 complaint letters have been sent to the police stations concerned, while five FIRs have been registered."

The BMC launched the special "Flex Free Campaign" on October 8. Its aim is to remove illegal banners, posters and boards. According to officials, the corporation has removed a total of 52,448 illegal structures since the start of this year. Officials also said they act immediately whenever a complaint comes in or an illegal sign comes to their notice.