BMC Orders Immediate Removal of Hoardings in Ghatkopar After Fatal Collapse

In a significant move following the tragic Ghatkopar billboard collapse incident, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a notice to M/s Ego Media, the advertisement agency responsible for the hoarding that fell onto a petrol pump amidst gusty winds on Monday evening. This calamity resulted in the loss of eight lives and left over 70 individuals injured. The BMC's directive mandates the immediate removal of three additional hoardings installed by the agency near the accident site, citing the lack of valid permissions as the primary reason.

The Assistant Police Commissioner Admin had previously authorized the erection of these four hoardings on behalf of the Commissioner of Railway Police, Mumbai. However, it was revealed that no official permission or No Objection Certificate (NOC) was obtained from the BMC for this purpose. The land where the collapsed hoarding was installed is identified as Collector land, currently under the stewardship of the Police Housing Welfare Corporation of the Government of Maharashtra, according to property card records. Initially, this land was allocated to the Government Railway Police for use.

On May 2, prior to this incident, a notice was sent out by the BMC to the Assistant Commissioner of Police Admin of Railway Police. This notice called for informing the advertising agency about the revocation of all permissions and instructed them to dismantle the hoardings. Additionally, Mumbai Police has taken legal action against M/s Ego Media for allegedly poisoning trees in Chheda Nagar area to clear the view for these hoardings. A case was registered at Pant Nagar police station on July 13, 2023, implicating the agency in the poisoning of nine coconut trees and two bottle palm trees.

Despite regulations allowing for hoardings up to a size of 40x40 square feet, the one that collapsed was significantly larger, measuring 120 x 120 square feet. The initial work order for this hoarding's installation was issued in December 2021 by then Assistant Commissioner of Police on behalf of the GRP Commissioner. Ravindra Shisave, Commissioner, GRP, acknowledged that although the land is under GRP's possession, these hoardings were erected before his tenure began. He also mentioned that an investigation into the permissions granted for these installations is currently underway.

Shisave has taken a serious stance on this matter, initiating an inquiry to ascertain under whose authority these permissions were granted. According to sources close to the situation, it is expected that BMC will proceed with removing the three remaining hoardings by Tuesday. This incident has highlighted significant oversight issues regarding public safety and regulatory compliance in outdoor advertising practices within Mumbai.