12 October,2026 07:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar
Religious, political, and commercial flexes in Vikhroli East
With Navratri around the corner, Mayor Ritu Tawde's ambitious âFlex-Free Mumbai for 365 Days' campaign is set to face its first major test as mandals prepare to put up festival decorations, advertisements, and sponsor banners across the city.
On October 5, Tawde proposed a zero-tolerance approach towards unauthorised flex banners, posters, stickers, and hoardings, with the slogan âShadu Bappa for 10 Days - Flex-Free Mumbai for 365 Days'. The proposal includes QR codes on authorised banners, blacklisting repeat-offending printers and contractors, and a 72-hour response mechanism for complaints.
For Navratri organisers, the move has raised questions about where the line will be drawn between legitimate festival advertising and illegal publicity.
"Navratri celebrations involve considerable expenditure on permissions, sound systems, lighting, and security. Sponsorships help mandals meet these costs. We have no objection to rules, but the permission process has to be quick and clear. If a mandal has approval, it should not be treated like an illegal banner. Also, it would be better if the implementation of this campaign is done after Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali as we have already made deals and taken donations this year," said Santosh Kadam, Shivai Mandal chief, Vikhroli.
While mandal operators do agree to the decision, they also say that exceptions should be made for festivals. "Illegal political banners and hoardings must be pulled down when they are put up throughout the year for any and every small event. But, during prominent festivals, certain exceptions should be made available so that mandals can conduct good events without facing financial burdens," said Sachin Bodke, member of a Mumbai mandal.
The BMC's ward machinery will be crucial to the campaign. Under the proposed system, ward offices are expected to monitor banners, act on complaints, and maintain records of enforcement. "The idea is not simply to remove banners after they are put up. Our teams will identify vulnerable locations, inspect them regularly and take action against unauthorised displays," said Dinesh Pallewad, ward officer, H West.
A ward officer from R North, Rohit Trivedi, said repeat offenders would need particular attention. "If the same printer, contractor or agency keeps producing illegal material, merely removing one banner will not solve the problem. The source has to be targeted," said Trivedi.
An organiser from Borivli said that festival banners often go up only for a few days. "The BMC should first tell us exactly what size, location, and material will be permitted. We will cooperate, but there should not be confusion at the last minute. Announcing such a campaign just a few days before a big festival is a bit inconvenient," he said.
