Mumbai's handis come crashing down but illegal posters stand tall

The dahi handi festivities have come to an end. And though the hoopla has subsided, Mumbaikars are now left to deal with the eyesores in the form of countless posters defacing city's streets. Despite strict orders from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) about illegal posters, leaders cutting across party lines put up posters and banners at every possible nook and corner needless to say, illegally.

MiD DAY carried out a survey of the city yesterday and took note of the illegal posters and the people responsible for them. After that, we spoke with the officials responsible for ensuring that the city is free of illegal banners, and what action they would take against the erring politicos.

Pics/Datta Kumbhar, Sameer markande, Nimesh Dave, Jay Munagekar

Area: G-north ward (Mahim)

Poster sponsored by: Ajit Kadam, Shiv Sena
D R Nalavade, senior licence inspector, says:
We deployed two inspectors and two vehicles for the job since morning and work continued till evening. We have removed several illegal posters and other banners in the area. By Saturday, all illegal posters will be removed.

Area: G-south ward (Worli)

Poster sponsored by: Rajendra Desai, MNS
RS Dhuri, licence inspector, says:
Banners and posters are illegal and we have not allowed any. We are removing all posters in the area and will begin prosecuting those who have put up the posters. We shall remove themin a day's time.

Area: S ward (Bhandup)

Poster sponsored by: Gajanand Kale, MNS
SS Chavan, licence inspector, says:
Action is being continuously taken. However, sometimes even after we remove the banner, they reappear after the official finishes his duty. Action is going on and we should be able to clear the area by midnight on Friday.

Area: F-south Ward (Currey Road)

Poster sponsored by: Shiv Sena workers
Sharad Aayre, senior licence inspector, says:
As far as I know, we have removed every poster in my jurisdiction. If there is a poster that we might have missed out on we will get it removed right away. I have ordered the people concerned and within a matter of minutes we will remove them.

Area: R-central ward (Borivli)

Poster sponsored by: Sanjay Nirupam, Congress
S B Achrekar, licence inspector, says:
I have been working on field since morning so that I can remove all illegal banners. I am doing my work by going to different places and have removed most of the banners from the areas where we received omplaints. The work will be done soon.

350
Number of posters that BMC officials removed on Friday

Punishment
Action would be initiated within 3-4 days under section 328 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act, 1888, which states that those found guilty would have to pay a fine of Rs 1,000-5,000, depending on poster size. They would also be charged with section 3 of Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995, under which a lawbreaker can be fined up to Rs 2,000 or imprisonment for 3 months or both.u00a0