Mumbai’s Hoarding Policy Delayed Amid Rising Revenue Losses

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has yet to finalize its revised hoarding policy more than a year after a tragic incident involving a large billboard in Ghatkopar that resulted in the deaths of 17 people and injuries to over 75 others. The billboard, measuring 120×120 ft, collapsed during strong winds on May 13, 2024, prompting the BMC to halt new hoarding permissions. Since then, the city has lost an estimated ₹ 16–17 crore in potential license fees.

Typically, each new hoarding generates approximately ₹ 24 lakh annually for the BMC, with around 50 proposals submitted each year. Despite drafting a new policy and receiving a detailed investigation report recommending systemic changes, progress has been stalled as the revised permissions remain under consideration.

In August 2024, the BMC released the Draft Policy of Outdoor Advertisements, 2024, proposing several new regulations. These include limiting billboard sizes to 40 ft x 40 ft, reducing renewal periods from six months to three, and banning hoardings on traffic islands, medians, footpaths, and areas under high-tension power lines. Additionally, the proposed policy aims to decrease the minimum distance between hoardings from 100 metres to 70 metres, while also requiring structural stability checks.

Public input on the draft policy was invited over subsequent months, with feedback from citizens, advertisers, and industry groups. Many voiced concerns that the new regulations might be excessively restrictive or contribute to visual clutter in the city.

Parallel to these developments, the state government appointed a committee led by Justice Dilip Bhosale to investigate the Ghatkopar collapse. The committee presented a comprehensive 650-page report in May 2025, which included over 150 recommendations. A review panel, headed by IS Chahal, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), examined these recommendations and submitted an Action Taken Report to the state cabinet. Recently, the cabinet instructed all relevant agencies to implement 21 of the recommendations within a month.

Despite the completion of these parallel processes, the draft hoarding policy has not progressed beyond the municipal administration. The ultimate decision lies with Vipin Sharma, Additional Municipal Commissioner, and Bhushan Gagrani, Municipal Commissioner.

A civic official indicated that the license department had compiled public suggestions and submitted the draft policy. However, they are still awaiting directives regarding the integration of recommendations from the Bhosale committee report.

As of now, Bhushan Gagrani has stated that the hoarding policy is expected to be submitted to the state government soon. The delay in finalizing this policy not only impacts the city’s revenue but also raises questions about public safety and urban aesthetics in Mumbai.