Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sanctioned the installation of six hoardings along the coastal road in South Mumbai, a move that has sparked significant controversy.
The approved locations include four hoardings in Tata Garden and two in Haji Ali Garden. With the land in question classified under Coastal Regulation Zone-II, the company awarded the 10-year contract is now awaiting clearance from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA). The decision has triggered criticism from various quarters, including the Shiv Sena, which has called for the cancellation of the hoarding contract. The party argues that this move contravenes a Supreme Court undertaking to avoid commercial exploitation of the coastal road.
A senior BMC official defended the approval process, stating that the contract was awarded in compliance with Supreme Court guidelines. “The hoardings will adhere to the 40X40 square feet dimensions specified by the Court and will only be installed once we receive MCZMA’s sanction,” the official explained. The BMC anticipates generating INR 27-30 lakh per month from the hoardings in Haji Ali Garden and INR 44 lakh per month from Tata Garden.
The BMC clarified that the decision to grant hoarding permissions was made before the recent Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident, which has since prompted a moratorium on new permissions. “We are committed to adhering to the regulatory framework and will not proceed with the installations until MCZMA approval is secured,” the official assured. Political ramifications are also evident, with the BJP-led city government questioning why an affidavit was not submitted to the Supreme Court earlier, stating that the reclaimed coastal spaces should remain open and not be commercially exploited.
This issue gained traction following the change in government leadership under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputies, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. The controversy extends beyond local politics, with a broader debate emerging about the future of Mumbai’s public spaces. The BMC’s decision to approve the hoardings is seen by some as an affront to the commitment to preserve open spaces along the coast, which had been a focal point in previous public and legal discourse.
