BMC bars obstructive festival advertising on Mumbai footpaths

BMC commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed Ganpati and Navratri mandals not to place advertisements on Mumbai’s roads or footpaths if they obstruct pedestrians or vehicles.

Ganeshotsav begins Monday. Under BMC rules, commercial advertisements by donors may appear on the left and right vertical sections of a traditional mandal entrance gate; the upper horizontal section may carry a welcome message for devotees.

Mandals may also put up digital screens of up to 10ft by 10ft for public-interest, health and commercial messages, but need no-objection certificates from the traffic police and the local police station. Advertisements for gutka, tobacco and other prohibited products are not permitted.

Ward-level officials and BMC’s licensing department have been instructed to enforce the rules and remove boards that block pedestrian movement. Mandals must take down their own advertising boards by the day after immersion.