MCZMA Approves Billboards Along Mumbai’s Coastal Road for BMC
In a significant move, the Environment Department has given its approval for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to erect advertisement boards along the Coastal Road in Mumbai. The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has granted its No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the installation of billboards in specific locations along the route, marking a key step forward for the city’s advertising landscape.
The proposal to put up the advertisement boards had previously faced opposition, particularly from the Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction), which raised concerns about the potential environmental and safety impacts. Despite this opposition, the MCZMA has now cleared the plan, allowing BMC to proceed with the installation in select areas such as Tata Garden, Amazon Garden, and Lala Lajpatrai Garden, provided the boards are not placed within the parks themselves.
The BMC’s initiative aims to generate significant revenue for the corporation through advertising, with estimates predicting earnings of over ₹1 crore per month from these boards. The civic body had earlier invited tenders for the installation of the billboards on Bhulabai Desai Marg in March 2024, in a move aimed at boosting the municipality’s finances. However, the proposal has not been without its controversies. Last year, Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray raised concerns about the impact of billboards on the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), which could pose risks to safety and the environment. Thackeray also pointed to potential irregularities in the pricing of the billboards and demanded that the tender be cancelled and an inquiry be initiated.
The MCZMA’s approval has come with conditions, including strict adherence to structural safety guidelines for the installation of the billboards. This decision is expected to spark further debate, with environmentalists and political parties closely monitoring the implementation of the project. As the BMC moves ahead with its plan, the installation of the billboards along the Coastal Road is poised to become a major revenue source while also raising important questions about urban development, environmental conservation, and public safety in Mumbai.
