Mumbai: Hoarding policy is now ready for Corporators nod

The much-awaited hoarding policy for Mumbai, that will promote digitisation is ready to get corporators' final approval. If it gets approval without any alteration then city will get digital billboards which will showcase many advertisements on same place and even become messenger in case of any disaster.

Civic body administration department is working on new hoarding policy draft from last one year. The previous policy expire in January 2018 and now draft of Policy Guidelines for Display of Advertisement is ready. Up till now there are different kind of rates as per location and illuminated – non illuminated boards. But now there will be uniformity in rates throughout city and for any kind of boards where it is simple paper or digital.

Mumbai is a international city and it deserved illuminated, digital look. Rate will be same for any kind of hoardings so ultimately we are pushing for digitization, because they don't have to pay higher rates for it, said Nidhi Choudhari, Deputy Municipal Commissioner. Cost will be depend upon size and not location. 

Civic body asked for suggestion about policy in May. After citizens suggestion some part of policy draft updated. Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta also suggested some correction and now the final draft is ready. It will be tabled before BMC's general body for a final nod. The general body will finally decide rates for hoardings.

According to new policy draft hoarding board size may vary in between 100 sq fee to 1600 sq feet. Traffic police no objection certificate will required for location of board but no need of NOC in case of renovation of contract.

Advertisers will have to display civic messages for at least 30 days in a year. Digital bill boards can use as a messenger in case of disaster. It will display warnings in natural calamities. Even there will be concession of 10 percent in cost if digital hoarding with CCTV cameras provide live feed to disaster control room. As per directives of High courts, the lights on billboards should be switched off by 11 o clock in night. There will be no hoardings in grounds, gardens and heritage buildings and buildings in heritage precincts. These are the some clauses of draft policy.

CHANGES EXPECTED

• New policy reads, advertisers have to display civic messages for at least 30 days in a year 
   
• The hoardings can be used as messengers in case of a disaster