The Supreme Court’s directive to Central and Western Railways to comply with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) notice on oversized hoardings has set a new course of action. Following the court’s order, the BMC has scheduled a crucial meeting with railway officials on July 18 to ensure adherence to these guidelines.
A BMC official confirmed the upcoming meeting, stating, “We will present the Supreme Court’s directives to the railway officials and request the removal of the oversized hoardings. Currently, there are 45 oversized hoardings within railway premises, of which seven have been removed so far.” Despite awaiting the official transcript of the Supreme Court’s order, both Central and Western Railways have confirmed their attendance at the meeting. This development follows the BMC’s notice issued to advertisers and railway authorities, mandating the immediate removal of hoardings exceeding 40×40 feet in size. This action was prompted by a tragic incident on May 13, 2024, when a massive hoarding collapsed in Ghatkopar, resulting in 17 fatalities and 75 injuries.
The Supreme Court’s bench, comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, noted that the railway authorities and others had not complied with the BMC’s notice issued on May 15, 2024. Consequently, the court ordered that the directives of the BMC be followed “in letter and spirit” by the railways and other concerned parties. “In the meanwhile, the respondents, including General Managers of Western and Central Railways, shall follow the directions regarding hoardings, their size, etc., as issued by the petitioner (BMC) earlier. The notice dated May 15, 2024, shall be followed in its letter and spirit,” the bench stated, scheduling the matter for further hearing in four weeks.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court has instructed the Additional Municipal Commissioner of BMC to convene a fresh meeting within two weeks. This meeting will include all relevant members, including railway officials, to discuss the hoarding issue comprehensively. The court has mandated that the BMC report back on the proceedings and decisions made during this meeting. The BMC’s regulations stipulate that hoardings on private property must receive certification from a BMC structural engineer. Additionally, civic engineers are required to inspect the site to ensure the hoarding meets safety standards and structural integrity. These certifications must be renewed every two years. To mitigate safety risks, the BMC prohibits hoardings exceeding 40×40 feet. Despite these regulations, several oversized hoardings within railway premises have raised significant safety concerns in Mumbai.
