The Bombay high court observed on Friday that unless citizens come forward to lodge complaints against illegal hoardings, the drive against it will not be successful.
A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and Ajey Gadkari made the observation while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Suswarajya foundation through advocate Uday Warunjikar, which highlighted the problem of illegal political banners and posters in cities across the state.
The judges observed: “We find that very few complaints are received by the municipal corporations, though a large number of illegal hoardings continue to exist. Unless citizens come forward and help, order of this court (directing action against illegal hoardings and banners) will not be complied fully.”
The HC has also directed all municipal corporations and councils to have toll free numbers where citizens can call or send an SMS in an anonymous manner, to lodge complaints regarding the hoardings.
The judges have asked the corporations to give wide publicity to the toll free number by way of newspaper, channels and pasting it outside ward offices.
The HC has also asked the corporations to file a compliance report of its earlier orders by February 27. “We make it clear that no further extension of time will be granted. Non-compliance of order will be viewed seriously,” added the judges.
The municipal councils have been given time till January 23 to file their compliance report.
The HC has kept the PIL for hearing in February.
