Pandals have a responsibility of clearing pavements and roads where they erected structures, so that the space can be freed up for people
Representational images
A number of hoardings put up by politicians with an eye on the BMC polls can crumble anytime and trigger mishaps, said citizens. The BMC does grant permission for banners, but a civic official told this paper that permission is granted on the condition that the banners be removed after the festival is over. Banners had come up for the recently concluded Ganesh festival in the city. Several residents have spoken out in the report stating that the banners are unsafe and may pose a risk to citizens, particularly pedestrians. In some spaces, banners have been removed but the bamboo framework remains, restricting access on pavements, many of which may be already encroached.
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Let us see that these posters and banners, call them what you will, are removed in a jiffy if the permissions have elapsed. Politicians from any party will not have any problem eking out maximum mileage and will obviously not be in a hurry to remove these posters. It is the civic authorities who have to act.
Pandals have a responsibility of clearing pavements and roads where they erected structures, so that the space can be freed up for people.
Every Mumbaikar knows the challenges of negotiating our public spaces. From uneven footpaths, broken stretches, rubbish heaps, shops on pavements, hawkers taking over—the list is endless. We need to have the civic discipline to clean up after festivities are over so that people get the few inches or yards to walk safely again.
Locals are right about the danger aspect of banners that may just crash to the ground. Even the bamboo framework must be dismantled safely and with an eye on security for passers-by. Most importantly, though the leaders are breaking rules themselves by still having their faces on these hoardings, we need suitable action.
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