Following the crash of an oversized billboard in Mumbai due to massive storm and gusty winds, killing 16 people, Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner Dr J Radhakrishnan on Friday directed civic officials to remove all illegal hoardings and audit the structural stability of approved ones in the metro city.
So far, the civic body had already removed 460 illegal billboards as part of an ongoing drive. Also the zonal officials have been asked to identify such "unsafe" hoardings that may pose a threat to people's lives, he said.
"There are four types of hoardings that pose a challenge -- those erected on the properties of central or state government, bus stands, traffic islands\metro rails, and on private places. The big-sized ones or structurally weak hoardings on private property are our main focus," Radhakrishnan told the media.
"Hoardings that pose a threat to people near petrol bunks, parking lots, and open areas where the wind velocity is high would be removed," Radhakrishnan said. Moreover, the commissioner also mentioned the tragic incident of Ghatkopar East. He said the hoarding collapse at Ghatkopar on May 13 was distressing.
The commissioner also said that a decision on applications to install fresh hoardings will be taken after the period of the model code of conduct for the ongoing election ends.
Mumbai hoarding collapse case
Notably on May 13, a hoarding collapsed in Ghatkopar East area due to the gusty winds and storms leading to the death of 16 people while as many as 75 were injured. The tragic incident sent chills to the city. According to BMC, the 120 X 120 feet had crashed on the petrol pump. Later, the National Disaster Response Force team reached the spot where the hoarding collapsed and rescued 88 individuals from the site.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police registered a case against the owner of Ego Media Bhavesh Bhinde and others following the fatal incident. Bhinde was later arrested from Rajasthan’s Udaipur.
Taking cognisance of the incident, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde termed it 'unfortunate' and directed the concerned authorities to audit all such hoardings in Mumbai. He also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh to the victims' next of kin. CM Shinde also said that the government will bear all expenses for the treatment of those injured.
(With PTI Inputs)
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