Mumbai: Ritu Tawde begins anti-flex banner drive, seeks 72-hour complaint resolution

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde begins anti-flex banner drive (Pic/Special arrangement)

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Wednesday, October 14, launched the ‘Flex Mukt Mumbai' campaign. Initiating the campaign, Tawde personally removed unauthorised banners, flex boards and posters from her own corporator ward in Ghatkopar East.

As per the official statement from the BMC, Ritu Tawde began the drive at Jhulelal Chowk, also known as Vikrant Circle, and the Garodia Nagar area under the civic body's N ward.

The campaign aims to remove unauthorised flex banners, posters and stickers across Mumbai and prevent them from being put up again.

Campaign focuses on keeping the city ‘plastic-free'

Tawde had earlier announced the special initiative titled ‘Shadu Bappa Daha Diwas - Flex Mukt Mumbai Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Diwas', emphasising the need to keep the city free of plastic and unauthorised hoardings throughout the year.

During Wednesday's drive, Tawde personally removed unauthorised displays and directed civic officials to maintain strict surveillance to ensure that fresh banners and posters are not installed at the same locations.

BMC plans zero-tolerance policy

As part of efforts to make the campaign effective, Tawde has written to the civic administration, directing it to adopt a ‘zero tolerance' policy against unauthorised hoardings and flex banners.

The proposed measures include making QR codes mandatory for authorised hoardings, blacklisting printers and agencies that produce hoardings without the required licences, and ensuring that complaints from citizens are addressed within a maximum of 72 hours.

As per the officials, BMC Mayor has also written to the heads and leaders of political parties, appealing to them to set aside political differences and cooperate with the initiative. Party representatives, activists, organisations and citizens have been urged to take similar action in their respective areas.

Ritu Tawde calls for year-round campaign

Explaining the rationale behind the initiative which focuses on removing illegal banners and posters, Tawde said that the emphasis on Shadu clay idols during the Ganesh festival had demonstrated the importance of environmental conservation.

She further said that the same commitment should extend throughout the year to keeping Mumbai free of plastic and flex waste.

As per BMC, "The Mayor's decision to begin the campaign in her own ward was intended to encourage elected representatives to lead by example and support civic efforts to prevent the city's streets and public spaces from being disfigured by unauthorised displays."

The campaign is expected to extend across Mumbai, with the civic administration seeking cooperation from political parties, public representatives and residents to maintain cleanliness and enforce discipline in public spaces.