Mumbai’s Street Chaos: Illegal Placarding Continues to Plague the City
By: Arvind Jadhav
Mumbai : Mumbai’s streets are plagued by illegal plaques, banners, flex, and posters, but the state government claims it’s difficult to take criminal action due to a lack of concrete information on who’s responsible. This issue has been pending in the High Court, with the government struggling to implement effective solutions despite issuing several orders over the years.
Chaos and Unaccountability
The city’s chaos is exacerbated by unregulated street hawking and lobbying by political parties, making it challenging to hold anyone accountable. Advocate General Birendra Saraf emphasized that it’s not the police’s decision to determine whether a crime should be registered against an individual.
Seeking Solutions
To address this issue, the division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Makarand Karnik has been ordered to submit a detailed report. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Municipal Administration is taking action against illegal vandalism, utilizing authorized Falkanwar Barcodes to identify and remove illegal structures.
Persistent Problems
However, the problem persists, with new illegal panels appearing shortly after removal. The lack of effective implementation and accountability raises concerns about the city’s ability to maintain order and ensure public safety. This issue is reminiscent of the devastating Mumbai billboard collapse in May 2024, which resulted in 17 deaths and over 75 injuries.
