Ganeshotsav gone, political banners stay-on

It’s been exactly a week since devotees bid this year’s final adieu to the Elephant Headed God after the 11-day long Ganeshotsav festivities came to an end, however, illegal gates, hoardings and banners that were put-up well ahead of the festive period continue to encroach upon roads and deface the twin-city of Mira Bhayandar.

This despite standing instructions issued by the Mumbai High Court to all civic bodies across the state to curb menace of illegal banners and hoardings in their respective jurisdic- tions. However, with the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) taking a soft stand against violators, there is nothing to deter various political parties from not only defacing the region but creating a great amount of inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians.

“We are wliing to take action and also carry out drives on a regular basis, however there is nothing much we can do when close aides of influential political leaders violate the rules,” admitted a ward officer requesting anonymity.

Apart from publicizing dedicated toll-free helpline numbers, the MBMC claims to have set up ward-level citizen committees with appointment of nodal officers for curbing illegal hoardings. However, thanks to the passthe-buck game being played by the various departments in the civic body, compounded by the lack of political will, hundreds of banners continue to dot the twincity’s skyline.