Get rid of all illegal hoardings by February 23, court tells state govt

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Friday directed the state government to ensure that all illegal hoardings, banners and sky signs in Maharashtra are removed by February 23. The state was also directed by the court to appoint a two-member committee comprising of senior officials from the urban development department to monitor the work. “If proper action is not taken, we will be forced to initiate contempt proceedings against the state officials,” the court warned.

A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and A.A. Sayed was hearing a petition filed by two NGOs pertaining to the removal of illegal hoardings across the state. Last year, the court had directed that the exercise should be completed by January, but granted an extension to the state, following a request by the latter.

On Friday, the court gave directions to the state and municipal corporations. The court directed the commissioner of police in all the cities to provide two armed constables to the municipal officers of every ward in the city. The constables will accompany municipal teams at the ward level every day in order to remove illegal hoardings, the court said.

The bench has also directed that an officer of the rank of police superintendent to ensure that officers and beat marshals, who are entrusted with night patrolling, keep a constant vigil and register FIRs against illegal posters, hoardings and sky signs. “It should not be difficult for the state to admit that there exists defacement of walls, public properties etc. Despite the fact that a clear law exists against the same. No genuine effort has been made by the state. By way of a last chance, we grant all authorities concerned time till February 23 this year,” the bench said.