New ad spaces on footpaths illegal,dangerous: Activists

The newly-erected red boxes around the BEST’s red electric meter boxes,known as auxiliary distribution pillars,have come up at over 70 locations so far and a total of 245 such illuminated hoardings are expected to come up in the near future. Pedestrians and citizens groups are fuming not only because of the “illegality” of these hoardings but also large-scale security concerns being raised by them.

With each hoarding costing Rs 5,550 a month,the BMC expects to earn a monthly revenue of Rs 13.6 lakh. Tenders were floated last year and a 10-year contract has been finalised,said chief engineer (planning) in BEST,S P Bedekar.

Neera Punj of south Mumbai based group Citispace said they are shocked that the BMC has given permission for such hoardings. “These are electricity boxes where cables from the entire locality terminate. Can one imagine the great risk that it poses when a hoarding encloses this box on all sides and has wiring on its inside to illuminate it? Pedestrians are prone to getting electrocuted or suffering from burns if it catches fire,” she said.

The front portion of the hoarding measures 8.5 feet by 8 feet while the two side measure about 8.5 feet by three feet. The original size of the red electricity boxes are only six feet by five feet on the front and six feet by two feet on the sides. Colaba resident Dr Anahita Pundole wrote a letter to then municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar,asking for immediate removal of these boxes since they are eating into pedestrian space,especially on busy roads such as DN Road.

“According to the Mumbai Municipal Act’s section 308 and 312 A,no hoarding can come up on a footpath or less than ten feet from the ground. How are BMC authorities blatantly stating they have given permission for them? Also,the traffic police’s no-objection certificates have not been sought,” she said.

The hoardings have come up on heritage precincts such as outside the Bombay High Court,and outside Rhythm House at Kala Ghoda. Five have come up on a stretch of less than 100 metres on Chowpatty road.

Additional municipal commissioner Mohan Adtani said the proposal was approved by BEST and tenders were floated by them and BMC only gave permission. “Our licence department has given permission to BEST. BEST officials have ensured wires are properly insulated and all required safety measures are followed so that there is no safety hazard,” he said.