Mumbai: Just over two years after a giant billboard collapsed in Ghatkopar, claiming 17 lives, two smaller crashes in Thane—a banner falling on a passing bike on Monday and a hoarding dropping bang in the middle of a busy road amid strong winds last week—have put the spotlight back on the persisting threat from such illegal displays.Data shows the magnitude of the menace: BMC alone removed nearly 1 lakh unauthorised posters and banners last year, of which 42% were political displays.On Tuesday, two FIRs were filed based on Thane Municipal Corporation’s (TMC) complaint, one against an unidentified person under Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act over the collapse of a large illegal banner celebrating a neta’s birthday from a foot overbridge on a passing bike on Eastern Express Highway on Monday, and the other against an advertising agency and its structural engineer over a cantilever hoarding’s crash on Pokhran Road 2 in Vartak Nagar on July 6. The crackdown came after deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s directive against hoardings and structures across Thane that do not meet safety and stability norms.While the banner was allegedly put up by an activist linked to Shiv Pratap Sena outfit, reportedly affiliated with Shiv Sena, the hoarding was installed under TMC’s junction beautification scheme. The advertising agency had submitted a structural stability certificate dated June 6. Officials said the structure’s fall within a month has raised concerns about possible negligence and whether the certification was reliable.Political hoardings continue to dominate public spaces across Mumbai. Data from BMC shows that from Jan-May 2026, it removed 20,799 unauthorised posters and banners, including 9,954 political, 6,777 religious and 4,068 commercial. Police complaints were filed in 155 cases, but FIRs were registered in only two. In 2025, BMC removed 99,015 illegal displays—41,533 political, 39,731 religious and 17,751 commercial—and filed 912 police complaints. Sixty FIRs were filed during the year.Marine Drive resident Mahendra Hemdev political banners often mushroom during VIP visits. “A strong sea breeze along the promenade can make loosely tied banners dangerous. BMC must ensure they are removed promptly before they fall on passing vehicles or pedestrians.”Anil Kate, superintendent of licences, BMC, said the drive against such displays has been continuous, with ward officials instructed to immediately remove illegal or loosely hanging banners and verify stability certificates of authorised hoardings through regular inspections.Churchgate resident Ashwin Nagpal alleged poor enforcement, saying illegal banners keep coming back at prominent locations despite regular civic drives. “The administration needs to respond immediately because these banners can become hazardous for residents as well as tourists, especially during windy and rainy conditions,” he said.Civic activist Nayana Kathpalia said the problem cannot be tackled through enforcement alone. “Political leaders should direct their party workers not to put up illegal banners. If the message comes from the leadership, workers are more likely to comply.”
