MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 12: The State Government has banned installation of statues and busts on roadsides and junctions and will prosecute those who violate the ban.The decision comes close on the heels of riots at Ramabai Nagar at Ghatkopar after desecration of a Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar bust. The riots had resulted in desecration of another statue of Shivaji at Ghatkopar and the situation could have snowballed into communal riots if the police had not taken timely action.According to the Public Works Department (PWD) general resolution (GR) dated February 4, statues always cause traffic congestion and at times lead to serious mishaps. Sometimes, there is a dispute with several groups vying for a permitted site for getting a statue of their interest installed. The dispute also results into altercation and clashes. And finally when a statue is put up, it risks being desecrated. Moreover, the PWD faces a lot of trouble when a statue comes in the way of its plan to widen a road or build a flyover.Considering all these factors, the government has decided to ban installation of statues on the roads. There are 12,000 statues in the state and over 1100 busts in the city alone.
