Graffiti by residents: plan to beautify Thane civic buildings

To discourage people from defacing city walls,the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has decided to allow graffiti on walls of civic buildings and has asked its staff to clean the area around the walls. “The walls that form the boundaries of various TMC buildings are being defaced by advertisements. People can paint them with environment conservation as the theme. At least the walls could be used better and look good,” said Sandeep Malvi,Deputy Municipal Commissioner. Three walls in the Naupada ward have already been painted.

The initiative is the brainchild of TMC Commissioner RA Rajeev. A similar initiative was carried out in Mumbai where artists from The Wall Project painted the 1.5-km stretch of BMC wall from Mahim station to Matunga station. The wall,however,has been defaced by encroachers. In Thane locals will be asked to paint on walls. “We want to encourage locals to participate in the exercise. Interested people can approach the ward office,” added Malvi. The TMC has also asked 70 officials to take responsibility of unhygienic areas in the city. “This is meant to make the officer accountable if the spot is found dirty,” said a senior TMC official.