Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Railways Clash Over Billboard Regulations, Dispute Heads to Supreme Court

Clash Over Billboard Regulations: Mumbai Municipal Corporation vs. Railways

Dispute Over Advertisement Board Rules

A heated disagreement erupted between Mumbai Municipal Corporation and railway officials regarding the enforcement of billboard regulations within railway limits. The clash occurred during a District Disaster Management Authority meeting, following a municipal notice demanding the removal of oversized advertisement boards in the railway area.

Backdrop: Ghatkopar Incident Sparks Controversy

The controversy began after a tragic incident in Ghatkopar where an advertisement board collapsed. In response, the municipal corporation issued a notice on May 15, mandating the removal of advertisement boards exceeding 40 by 40 feet in size within the railway area.

Railways Challenge Municipal Notice

The railways challenged the municipal notice in the Supreme Court. On July 10, the court ruled that the railways must comply with the municipal corporation's billboard size regulations. The court also directed both parties to discuss the matter in a meeting.

Contentious Meeting at Municipal Headquarters

On Monday, officials from Central and Western Railways met with the District Disaster Management Authority at the municipal headquarters. The meeting included prominent figures such as Authority Chairman and Mumbai Municipal Additional Commissioner (City) Ashwini Joshi, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Amit Saini, and Divisional Railway Managers from both railways.

Arguments and Disagreements

The municipal officials argued for the control and regulation of billboard sizes within the railway jurisdiction. In contrast, the railway administration maintained that their policies should prevail within their areas of control. The meeting saw intense arguments from both sides, highlighting the lack of consensus.

Majority Decision and Next Steps

Despite the disagreements, a majority decision was made to implement the notice issued by the District Disaster Management Authority. It was also resolved that the same notice would apply to all authorities until a comprehensive advertisement policy is established. The municipal administration has decided to submit the minutes of the meeting to the Supreme Court for further adjudication.

Summary

The conflict between Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the railway administration over billboard regulations remains unresolved. With both parties standing firm on their policies, the dispute is now set to be resolved by the Supreme Court.