CIDCO notice to remove illegal hoardings ‘unlawful’: Ad agencies to HC
CIDCO has reportedly issued notices to errant ad agencies in light of the billboard collapse incident in Ghatkopar on May 13
Two ad agencies have reportedly moved the Bombay High Court, challenging the notice issued by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) against illegal hoardings in the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA).
The agencies—Devangi Outdoor Advertising and Harmesh Dilip Tanna, proprietor of Gargee Graphics—reportedly said that these notices, which require action within 24 hours, were arbitrary and unlawful.
CIDCO issued the notice in light of the massive billboard tragedy in Ghatkopar, which killed 17 and injured 75. An unexpected storm in Mumbai on May 13 caused the 120 ft X 120 ft hoarding to collapse on people at a petrol pump underneath.
The incident highlighted the need to crack down on illegal hoardings, which promoted CIDCO to issue notices to ad agencies, including the petitioners.
They reportedly said that they have erected hoardings overlooking highways and expressways legally. Despite having secured these locations after obtaining necessary permissions from authorities, the agencies received notices from CIDCO on May 22, ordering them to take down the hoardings within 24 hours. Failure to do so will result in prosecution under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, said the notice, or the authorities may dismantle them and recover costs from the petitioners.
The agencies said that the notices are illegal since they lack specific measurements of the “unauthorised” structures.
The notices, they alleged, also did not include sketches or detailed descriptions of the alleged unauthorised structures and were issued without a show-cause notice, violating principles of natural justice.
