Illegal posters: BMC pulls down 811 but files 55 cases

Despite Bombay high court’s multiple directives, illegal posters continue to deface the city and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) inaction during Ganpati festival seems to be a reason behind this.

Despite Bombay high court’s multiple directives, illegal posters continue to deface the city and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) inaction during Ganpati festival seems to be a reason behind this. The BMC filed only 55 prosecution cases during this festival when it removed 811 illegal banners, boards and posters, out of which 605 were political in nature.

The civic officials, however, cite political pressure and lack of police protection as the reasons for not taking action against the political parties. (HT File Photo)

The civic body removed 114 commercial banners while 92 were religious. These posters were found in the festival season from September 1 until now. The HC on Friday directed all municipal corporations in Maharashtra to conduct special drives till October 15 to remove illegal hoardings and banners and ensure that no illegal banners are erected for religious activity in and around pandals keeping in mind the upcoming festivals.

BMC has to submit a report on October 15 about the action taken against the hoardings.

Civic officials, however, cite political pressure and lack of police protection as the reasons for not taking action against the political parties. A civic official, on the condition of anonymity, said, “Our officers are threatened if they remove posters during festivals. The police do not provide enough protection to us and because of this most of the times, the FIR is registered in the name of an unknown person because of pressure.”