Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 25: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) pulled down a staggering 11,563 illegal posters and banners during a special drive conducted between September 7 and 12, immediately after Ganeshotsav festivities. Civic officials said the crackdown targeted banners, boards and posters across the city, including 1,631 banners, 622 boards and 13 posters of political nature. Despite the massive haul, police received only 28 complaints.

BMC licence department records show that between April and July this year, 20,345 illegal posters and banners were removed, 48% of them political. “Our action included a crackdown against both legal and illegal banners. Legal banners had received permission for the festival but were expected to be removed once it ended. We had to even inform the police in one case where our staff faced opposition,” said Anil Kate, superintendent of licences, adding that this drive was larger than earlier efforts.

Residents across Mumbai reported a surge in political banners this season. Mahim resident Mushtaq Ansari highlighted safety hazards, pointing out that poorly secured posters often block signals or risk collapsing. “In windy areas like Mahim, these posters can fly into a biker’s face and later add to plastic pollution when discarded,” he said.

At Malabar Hill, Pervin Sanghvi described how an illegal banner recently blocked the footpath on Mount Pleasant Road, forcing pedestrians onto the road. “This year the illegal posters and banners have outnumbered those in previous years. There hasn’t really been a crackdown as there should be,” she observed.

The BMC has vowed to continue stringent action to curb the menace, warning contractors and political groups to remove banners promptly or face penalties.