Residents to BMC: Why minimum distance between hoardings slashed to 70 metres?

Mumbai: The Federation of Residents Trusts (FORT) has sought a clarification from the BMC on why the permissible distance between two hoardings was reduced from 100 metres to 70 metres.
Another body, the Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens' Association (NPCCA), has demanded that no hoardings or advertisements be allowed on heritage-listed buildings and precincts. The association stated that such advertisements distract from the historic silhouette and skyline and mar the architectural significance of the heritage buildings.
The citizens' groups and NGOs earlier submitted their suggestions and objections regarding BMC's draft policy guidelines for the display of outdoor advertisements. Representatives of the citizens' groups reiterated their suggestions and objections during a hearing conducted by BMC for stakeholders on Tuesday.
The NPCCA has sought the removal of all existing hoardings, if present, on any heritage buildings, and no hoardings should be allowed in the 100 metre buffer around Grade I heritage sites. Citing that the minimum distance requirement between two hoardings was 100 metres, FORT stated there needs to be clarification on why this distance was reduced to 70 metres. It insisted that the distance should be at least 100 metres.
FORT pointed out that the draft policy lacked adequate restrictions on the maximum permissible illumination, colour scale, height, material, and video content for all forms of digital displays. The organisation also suggested that bulky hoardings constructed from degrading, corrosive, or non-energy-efficient materials should be avoided.
NAGAR, an NGO, told the BMC that there needs to be clarification on compulsory open spaces and reiterated that no hoarding should be allowed in any existing open space (EOS) required to be maintained under the Development Control Regulations of Greater Mumbai (DCR).
The NGO stated that no hoardings should be permitted near beaches or the seacoast on the seaward side of the road without NOC from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), and hoardings should be strictly prohibited in the CRZ I category. According to the NGO, the policy needs to clearly differentiate permissions for all categories of CRZ.
Mumbai: The Federation of Residents Trusts (FORT) has sought a clarification from the BMC on why the permissible distance between two hoardings was reduced from 100 metres to 70 metres.
Another body, the Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens' Association (NPCCA), has demanded that no hoardings or advertisements be allowed on heritage-listed buildings and precincts. The association stated that such advertisements distract from the historic silhouette and skyline and mar the architectural significance of the heritage buildings.
The citizens' groups and NGOs earlier submitted their suggestions and objections regarding BMC's draft policy guidelines for the display of outdoor advertisements. Representatives of the citizens' groups reiterated their suggestions and objections during a hearing conducted by BMC for stakeholders on Tuesday.
The NPCCA has sought the removal of all existing hoardings, if present, on any heritage buildings, and no hoardings should be allowed in the 100 metre buffer around Grade I heritage sites. Citing that the minimum distance requirement between two hoardings was 100 metres, FORT stated there needs to be clarification on why this distance was reduced to 70 metres. It insisted that the distance should be at least 100 metres.
FORT pointed out that the draft policy lacked adequate restrictions on the maximum permissible illumination, colour scale, height, material, and video content for all forms of digital displays. The organisation also suggested that bulky hoardings constructed from degrading, corrosive, or non-energy-efficient materials should be avoided.
NAGAR, an NGO, told the BMC that there needs to be clarification on compulsory open spaces and reiterated that no hoarding should be allowed in any existing open space (EOS) required to be maintained under the Development Control Regulations of Greater Mumbai (DCR).
The NGO stated that no hoardings should be permitted near beaches or the seacoast on the seaward side of the road without NOC from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), and hoardings should be strictly prohibited in the CRZ I category. According to the NGO, the policy needs to clearly differentiate permissions for all categories of CRZ.