The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has mandated the removal of eight oversized hoardings in Dadar. These hoardings, erected by Ego Media, were found to be non-compliant with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) policy.
The DDMA issued a notice under the Disaster Management Act to the Government Railway Police (GRP), requiring the removal of these billboards within three days. Failure to comply will result in the BMC taking down the hoardings at the GRP’s expense. The notice emphasised the importance of adhering to safety standards, particularly considering Mumbai’s coastal location and high wind speeds.
On Wednesday, the DDMA had also instructed the railway administration to remove 45 oversized hoardings situated on railway land. However, subsequent clarification revealed that the hoardings in question, installed by Ego Media, were not on railway property but on premises controlled by the GRP. This misinterpretation was initially presented by GRP officials, who misled the BMC by citing sections of the Railway Act, thus falsely categorising the hoardings as being under railway jurisdiction.
A BMC official elaborated on the confusion, noting that the GRP’s misrepresentation had led to the erroneous inclusion of these hoardings in the list of structures to be removed from railway land. The official stressed the necessity of rectifying this oversight to ensure public safety.
This move by the DDMA and BMC underscores the critical need for strict compliance with safety regulations in urban infrastructure projects. The tragic incident in Ghatkopar serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards posed by unauthorized and improperly maintained structures. By enforcing these measures, the authorities aim to mitigate risks and safeguard the wellbeing of the public.
BMC deputy municipal commissioner (special) Kiran Dighavkar confirmed that a notice has been issued to GRP under the DM Act. He also said of the three other Ego Media hoardings near the crash site, demolition of two is almost complete and that of the third was to begin late Friday.
The ordered removal of the Dadar hoardings is part of a broader initiative to enhance urban safety and regulatory compliance. As Mumbai continues to develop, such proactive measures are essential in preventing future tragedies and ensuring that all urban developments adhere to the highest safety standards.
