After billboard tragedy, Mumbai civic body orders removal all large hoardings
Irregularly shaped hoardings, especially those larger than 40x40 feet, will be removed immediately from the boundary of the railway administration, the Mumbai civic body said days after a massive billboard fell on a fuel station in Ghatkopar due to a dust storm, killing 14 people and injuring around 75.
The rescue operation at the incident site is still ongoing and several people are suspected to be buried under the hoarding which was about 250 tonnes.
The Brihanmumbai Corporation does not allow hoardings larger than 40x40 feet given Mumbai's geography as it is close to the coastline, where high winds can pose a risk.
"However, it has been observed that irregularly sized advertising boards have been installed around the roads/private constructions within the boundary of the railway administration," read the civic body's notice, sent on Wednesday to the Central and Western Railways administration.
"In the light of this, as an additional measure to prevent accidents, the Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) has directed the immediate removal of all advertising boards larger than 40x40 feet within the boundary of the railway administration," the notice said.
Meanwhile, rescue work is continuing in Ghatkopar as many families remain at the spot in search of their loved ones.
The hoarding had collapsed during a spell of dust storm on Monday, and with a petrol pump buried under it, the rescue work has been moving slowly.
Given the size and weight of the hoarding, rescue workers fear they may not be able to reach the trapped people in time. Even though only upto 40x40 feet hoardings are allowed by the civic body, this one was 120x120 feet and weighed 250 tonnes.
Bhavesh Bhinde, the owner of the Igo Media Company, has been booked for putting up the hoarding, ignoring all rules.
Igo Media has erected four illegal hoardings on GRP land in Ghatkopar. Now, while the BMC is busy removing the remaining three hoardings, the Mumbai Police is searching for Bhavesh Bhinde.
A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered against him.
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