Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse Tragedy: BMC Delays Outdoor Advertising Policy, Illegal Billboards Continue To Thrive In Mumbai

Mumbai: As the city marks one year since the tragic Ghatkopar hoarding collapse that claimed 17 lives, the BMC continues to drag its feet on critical policy reform. A draft outdoor advertising policy, proposed in August 2024 and followed by public hearings, remains in limbo.

Despite promises made in the aftermath of the disaster, no concrete action has been taken—while illegal hoardings still crowd the city, drawing sharp criticism from frustrated citizens and activists.

The tragic incident that shook the nation prompted widespread public outrage, leading the BMC to establish a special committee tasked with framing a comprehensive hoarding policy. The committee included experts from the Indian Institute of Technology - Bombay, environmental specialists, the Joint Commissioner of Police, and civic officials.

Nearly three months after the incident, In August 2024, the BMC unveiled a new hoarding policy aimed at regulating the erection of hoardings by government authorities. The policy mandates that no new hoardings will be allowed on rooftops, terraces, traffic islands, or bridge gantries.

For stricter regulation of digital hoardings, the BMC introduced a separate set of guidelines to govern digital advertisements across the city. These guidelines prohibit flickering advertisements and video displays, permitting only static images with a minimum dwell time of eight seconds.

Anil Galgali, an activist from Kurla, who provided feedback on the hoarding policy draft, filed an RTI to check its status but received no response from the BMC. "Despite our suggestions, the BMC has not informed citizens about the policy’s progress.

The hoarding mafia may be influencing the process, and internal conflicts over revenue sharing are delaying action. The BMC must finalise the policy to prevent another tragedy like the Ghatkopar collapse. In absence of policy the illegal hoardings have surged in Mumbai.

Godfrey Pimenta, founder of Watchdog Foundation, criticised the BMC for its delayed action on the hoarding policy, stating, "While the civic body formed the committee quickly, they’ve since ignored the matter as if it doesn’t concern them."

Pimenta highlighted the danger posed by digital hoardings on the Western Express Highway, noting their distracting, flashy colors that can blind drivers. He also pointed out the lack of minimum distance between hoardings, cluttering the landscape. "Digital advertising on road medians should be banned as it distracts drivers and increases accident risk," he demanded.

Vinod Gholap, founder of the Fight for Right Foundation, strongly criticised the BMC for its failure to implement the much-awaited hoarding policy. “The BMC’s delay has allowed illegal hoardings to proliferate across the city, endangering lives especially during the monsoon season,” he said, emphasising the urgent need for swift action.

Meanwhile, a civic official said that the BMC was waiting for the submission of the report by former Allahabad HC Chief Justice Dilip Bhosale, who was appointed by the state government to investigate the May 13, 2024, hoarding crash.

"The BMC plans to incorporate recommendations from the report into its final policy," he added. Sources have confirmed that the Bhosale Committee’s report on the May 13, 2024, hoarding collapse has been submitted to the state government. However, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani remained unavailable for comment.

During public hearings on the draft hoarding policy, government agencies like the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) opposed key clauses—particularly the requirement to share 50% of revenue from outdoor advertisements on roads, flyovers, and other MSRDC-built structures with the BMC.

This resistance has further slowed finalisation of the policy. Meanwhile, the BMC has moved ahead with temporary measures, identifying specific spaces across the city for legal advertising. These include 1,017 banner spots, 2,311 bus shelters, and 32,531 kiosks now permitted for ads.

The civic body has also issued a strict warning: any banners, boards, or posters placed outside these designated areas will face immediate and stringent action.