BMC's new hoarding policy may bring LED screens to Mumbai roads

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing a new hoarding policy which will pave way for setting up digital hoardings across the city and regulate banners and hoardings that can be put up, even in small lanes. The move is believed to increase the civic body's revenue and give the city a new look. The BMC is also working to put an end to the use of huge photos of politicians in banners and hoardings.

"A final decision will be taken by the civic chief once the policy is prepared," said a senior civic official from the BMC's Removal of Encroachment Department. The policy will also need the state government's approval.

As part of the new policy, the BMC is planning to set up LED screen hoardings instead of using flex boards that need to be changed every time the advertiser changes. Civic officials claim that the shift from flex boards to LED screen hoarding will have dual benefits. It can be used for advertisements as well as displaying public service announcements during an emergency.

Initially, the digital hoardings were planned only for the highways however the civic body is now exploring the option to set up digital hoardings across the city. "The problem in using LED screen hoardings on roads is the possibility of accidents. However, there have been no such instances where LED screen hoardings on roads led to accidents," said the official. However, the official added that they are looking into all aspects before finalising the decision.

The hoarding policy, which is being framed after almost 10 years, will bring other stakeholders like Railways on one platform.

Khalid Batliwala, President, Mumbai Hoarding Owners Association has welcomed the move. "This is an encouraging development and it will change the face of the city," said Batliwala.

The new policy will also regulate the size of photos that can be used in banners or hoardings. "Though the policy is being framed, the possibilities are being looked at to do away with the practice of putting up gigantic photos of politicians," said the official.

WHY LED?

• Earlier, the digital hoardings were to be limited to highways as it was believed they would increase accidents on city roads
   
• The civic body plans to use the digital hoardings for advertisements and displaying messages during an emergency
   
• These will replace flex board hoardings