On May 22, 2024, the Mumbai civic body (BMC) announced a new committee with eight members, including experts from IIT Bombay. This panel will create rules for billboards and outdoor ads in Mumbai.

Purpose of the Guidelines

The new guidelines will cover the looks, costs, and rules for outdoor ads in the city. This was mentioned in a BMC notice dated May 8.

Tragic Incident and Response

A big, illegal billboard fell on a petrol pump in Ghatkopar on May 13 due to strong winds and rain. This accident killed 17 people and injured over 70. Rakesh Kumar, an expert from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, is now part of the panel. Other members include Avjit Maji and Nagendra Rao Velaga from IIT Bombay, and Shreekumar from the Industrial Design department.

Leadership and Additional Members

The panel is led by BMC's additional commissioner, Ashwini Joshi, with joint police commissioner Anil Kumbhare, BMC deputy commissioner Kiran Dighavkar, and superintendent of licensing, Anil Kate.

Challenges of Digital Billboards

Digital billboards with animations bring new challenges. They can distract drivers, affect health in residential areas, and cause light pollution. The BMC notice said these risks need careful study.

Committee's Task

The panel will study the effects of digital billboards on the environment, health, and traffic safety. The BMC expects a report from the committee in one to two months. After the Ghatkopar incident, BMC announced several measures to prevent similar events.

Meetings and Decisions

On May 16, city head Bhushan Gagrani held a meeting with various groups. He stressed that everyone must follow BMC and Mumbai traffic police rules for billboards, whether on government or private land. The collapsed billboard in Ghatkopar was on GRP land in Chheda Nagar.

Future Steps

On the same day, BMC asked Central and Western Railway to remove large billboards from their properties. Gagrani also said no new billboards would be allowed in Mumbai until a new policy is in place. Traffic officials at the meeting also voiced concerns about digital billboards being distracting, especially at night.