Illegal hoardings get the boot

December 14, 2006

Commercially exploited and abused, heritage precincts in Mumbai have got some hope left yet. The BMC has initiated action against illegal hoardings in Mumbai’s heritage precincts after DNA carried a report ‘City heritage faces hoarding menace’ on December 1. The story revealed how these precincts were being commercially exploited by the hoarding owners. Subsequently, a notice was drafted by the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) to civic chief Johny Joseph. The civic body removed 10 hoardings from the BSNL building at CTO fountain in the Fort Precinct on December 4. This was followed by the removal of a sign on Dr DN Road in Mahalaxmi Precinct on the same day. The civic body has also drafted a notice to all the ward officers directing them to disallow any new hoardings in the 14 heritage precinct areas.
“Following the report in DNA, we initiated this action. But the heritage committee should keep in mind that their decision on these hoardings should be conveyed to all of us, including the ward officer, so that taking action becomes easier,” said V Kalam Patil, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Special). Patil adds that out of 13 spots identified by the MHCC, action was taken against two. Action will be taken in pending cases soon.
The letter drafted by MHCC chairman S Upasani alleged that despite the committee and the court’s instruction to remove all hoardings at precinct sites like Mahalaxmi, the civic administration has allowed them to come up repeatedly. In its notice, the committee has demanded action against the concerned ward officer/staff who has allowed hoardings to come up in violation of the guidelines. 
Upasani further alleges that on the pretext of cases pending for hearing, the hoardings have been retained at some sites. Denying the charges, Johny Joseph said that it takes time to take up hearings since there are other pressing issues at hand.

URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1069389