The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has deferred the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) plan to install hoardings along the coastal road.
The decision, taken during a meeting on July 5, 2024, stems from the BMC’s failure to submit requisite documentation as mandated by the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) guidelines under the Environment Protection Act. The proposed installation involved four double-sided hoardings at strategic locations—Tata Garden in Breach Candy and Lala Lajpat Rai Park near Haji Ali. This initiative aimed to leverage these sites for advertising, a move intended to generate additional revenue for the BMC.
However, the project’s progress has been stalled due to compliance issues raised by the MCZMA. Minutes from the MCZMA meeting reveal that the BMC did not provide a detailed Coastal Regulation Zone map at a 1:4000 scale, nor did it include a comprehensive report from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change as per the approved Coastal Zone Management Plan of 2019. These omissions led to the deferral of the project. Consequently, the BMC will be required to resubmit the necessary documentation to advance the proposal.
The BMC’s initiative had faced significant local opposition even before this setback. Residents of South Mumbai, organised by local groups, have voiced strong objections, amassing nearly 5,000 signatures against the plan. Critics, including Shiv Sena UBT Leader, have argued that the erection of hoardings on open spaces contravenes existing laws and poses safety risks, particularly in light of increasing cyclonic activity along the Maharashtra coast. The official has urged the BMC Commissioner to halt the project, citing potential dangers associated with hoarding structures and raising concerns about anomalies in the hoarding rates. This opposition underscores the broader debate surrounding urban planning and environmental regulation in coastal areas.
The deferral by the MCZMA serves as a critical reminder of the stringent regulatory frameworks governing coastal development. The BMC must address the highlighted deficiencies and navigate local resistance to advance its project, reflecting the ongoing challenges in balancing urban growth with environmental stewardship.
