Update - May 28, 2024
On May 28, 2024, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde instructed that all illegal hoardings in the state be removed, FIRs be registered and structural audits be conducted. He also stated that the railways and MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) must get permission from the BMC for all hoardings and comply with BMC norms.
Update - May 22, 2024
BMC has created an expert 8-member panel to formulate guidelines regarding outdoor advertising and billboards in Mumbai. The panel comprises various experts including those from IIT Bombay and will be responsible for framing guidelines “balancing the "aesthetic, economic, and regulatory aspects" of outdoor advertising in Mumbai”.
Update - May 16, 2024
Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of Ego Media, the company responsible for erecting the illegal billboard in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar has been arrested by the Mumbai Police Crime branch. He was found in Udaipur, after fleeing from Mumbai post the tragic incident.
Decision Makers:
1. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC),
2. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Government of Maharashtra.
Demands:
BMC must conduct an audit of the condition of billboards across Mumbai
All illegally placed billboards, that violate the norms, must be removed with immediate effect
Take legal action against Ego Media, the agency responsible for the billboard that collapsed at Ghatkopar
Formulate a committee to look into and resolve complaints of billboards that violate BMC Policy on Billboards
- Civic authorities across Maharashtra must conduct audits of billboard conditions and take cognizance of any illegal billboards
What is the Issue?
On May 13, 2024, a massive 14,400 square-foot billboard in Mumbai's Ghatkopar collapsed, leading to at least 74 injuries and 14 casualties. The creaking 100-foot tall structure, which was 9X larger than what the BMC mandates, collapsed after strong winds and fell onto a petrol station. It was found later that this billboard’s size was far beyond the 40x40 feet mandated by the Mumbai civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Why is this important?
The Ghatkopar billboard tragedy brings to light the consequences of lax implementation on the part of civic bodies with regards to outdoor advertising infrastructure. Despite multiple red flags and notices issued by civic authorities in Mumbai regarding the billboard, no substantial action was taken for over a year. The issues ranged from non-payment of license fees to structural stability concerns and lack of required permissions. Shockingly, even after complaints of tree damage and poisoning to ensure billboard visibility, little action was taken to address the looming safety hazards. This failure to act underscores a systemic lapse in accountability and highlights the urgent need for proactive measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Beyond the immediate loss of life and injuries, such incidents have far-reaching impacts on communities, instilling fear and eroding public trust in the authorities like the Bombay Municipal Corporation, entrusted with ensuring safety.
If you reside in Maharashtra, you must take action! Civic authorities across the state of Maharashtra must be vigilant and undertake audits of the conditions of billboards across the state. The issue of illegal billboards is not restricted to Mumbai alone and civic bodies must take cognizance of billboards that violate norms. It must not take another Ghatkopar accident to instil public safety!
What can you do?
We’re standing in solidarity with the victims of the Ghatkopar tragedy and are urging the BMC to take accountability and implement meaningful reforms to prevent similar calamities in the future. We’re also imploring the civic authority to take legal action against Ego Media, the agency responsible for the ill-fated billboard.
Together, we can compel our city officials to prioritize public safety, hold the agency responsible for the negligence accountable and create a safer environment for all residents and visitors of Maharashtra.
Decisive action must be taken to address the systemic failures that led to the Ghatkopar billboard collapse.
Sources:
Update - May 28, 2024
On May 28, 2024, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde instructed that all illegal hoardings in the state be removed, FIRs be registered and structural audits be conducted. He also stated that the railways and MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) must get permission from the BMC for all hoardings and comply with BMC norms.
Update - May 22, 2024
BMC has created an expert 8-member panel to formulate guidelines regarding outdoor advertising and billboards in Mumbai. The panel comprises various experts including those from IIT Bombay and will be responsible for framing guidelines “balancing the "aesthetic, economic, and regulatory aspects" of outdoor advertising in Mumbai”.
Update - May 16, 2024
Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of Ego Media, the company responsible for erecting the illegal billboard in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar has been arrested by the Mumbai Police Crime branch. He was found in Udaipur, after fleeing from Mumbai post the tragic incident.
Decision Makers:
1. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC),
2. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Government of Maharashtra.
Demands:
BMC must conduct an audit of the condition of billboards across Mumbai
All illegally placed billboards, that violate the norms, must be removed with immediate effect
Take legal action against Ego Media, the agency responsible for the billboard that collapsed at Ghatkopar
Formulate a committee to look into and resolve complaints of billboards that violate BMC Policy on Billboards
- Civic authorities across Maharashtra must conduct audits of billboard conditions and take cognizance of any illegal billboards
What is the Issue?
On May 13, 2024, a massive 14,400 square-foot billboard in Mumbai's Ghatkopar collapsed, leading to at least 74 injuries and 14 casualties. The creaking 100-foot tall structure, which was 9X larger than what the BMC mandates, collapsed after strong winds and fell onto a petrol station. It was found later that this billboard’s size was far beyond the 40x40 feet mandated by the Mumbai civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Why is this important?
The Ghatkopar billboard tragedy brings to light the consequences of lax implementation on the part of civic bodies with regards to outdoor advertising infrastructure. Despite multiple red flags and notices issued by civic authorities in Mumbai regarding the billboard, no substantial action was taken for over a year. The issues ranged from non-payment of license fees to structural stability concerns and lack of required permissions. Shockingly, even after complaints of tree damage and poisoning to ensure billboard visibility, little action was taken to address the looming safety hazards. This failure to act underscores a systemic lapse in accountability and highlights the urgent need for proactive measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Beyond the immediate loss of life and injuries, such incidents have far-reaching impacts on communities, instilling fear and eroding public trust in the authorities like the Bombay Municipal Corporation, entrusted with ensuring safety.
If you reside in Maharashtra, you must take action! Civic authorities across the state of Maharashtra must be vigilant and undertake audits of the conditions of billboards across the state. The issue of illegal billboards is not restricted to Mumbai alone and civic bodies must take cognizance of billboards that violate norms. It must not take another Ghatkopar accident to instil public safety!
What can you do?
We’re standing in solidarity with the victims of the Ghatkopar tragedy and are urging the BMC to take accountability and implement meaningful reforms to prevent similar calamities in the future. We’re also imploring the civic authority to take legal action against Ego Media, the agency responsible for the ill-fated billboard.
Together, we can compel our city officials to prioritize public safety, hold the agency responsible for the negligence accountable and create a safer environment for all residents and visitors of Maharashtra.
Decisive action must be taken to address the systemic failures that led to the Ghatkopar billboard collapse.
Sources: