Illegal hoardings and banners have again come into the spotlight with civic activists filing complaints, our lead report stated in the paper. BMC chief Iqbal Singh Chahal, during the review meeting of the civic body’s Rs 2,000-crore Mumbai beautification plan, directed officials to take strict action against these. As per BMC records, it takes action against approximately 22,000 such banners each year and files around 800 cases.

A civic activist rightly said that BMC officials can take action [on illegal hoardings], but what about politicians who set up their hoardings and banners for festivals and new year for free publicity? He added that unless politicians change their mindset, this problem is likely to persist.