On May 13, during gusty winds and unusual rains, a petrol pump collapsed in the Ghatkopar district of the city of Ghatkopar, killing 17 people and injuring over 70.
Rakesh Kumar, former employee of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), is the panel expert on environment, while Prof. Avjit Maji from IIT Bombay, prof. Nagendra Rao Velaga, in addition to Prof. Shreekumar from the department of industrial design, there are other members.
BMC additional commissioner (city) Ashwini Joshi will head the panel, which also includes joint commissioner of police (traffic) Anil Kumbhare, BMC deputy commissioner (special) Kiran Dighavkar and superintendent of licenses Anil Kate, the official said.
“The advent of high-resolution digital animation boards creates a recent set of challenges. It requires a comprehensive assessment of associated risks such as driver distraction on expressways, health effects of displaying hoardings in residential areas and environmental impacts such as lightweight pollution,’ the BMC notification said.
It further states that the multidisciplinary committee will “delve into the implications of granting permits” for digital signs and “will delve into the implications for the environment, health and road safety.” According to BMC officials, the panel is expected to submit its report within one or two months. In the wake of the Ghatkopar tragedy, the BMC has announced steps to avoid such incidents.
Municipal chief Bhushan Gagrani held a meeting with all stakeholder agencies on May 16, during which he stressed that compliance with the norms set by the BMC and Mumbai Traffic Police is mandatory for all, irrespective of whether the hoardings are on government or private land .
A 120 x 120 feet Ghatkopar hoarding has come up on the premises of the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Chheda Nagar.
In a statement issued on the same day, the BMC said that the mayor has asked the Central and Western Railways to remove oversized gardens from their premises.
Gagrani also said that no recent hoardings will be allowed in Mumbai until recent billboard rules are implemented as per the notification.
During the meeting with the mayor, traffic officials also expressed concerns about digital advertising billboards, saying the signs distract citizens and drivers, especially in the shadowy.
