Mumbai: Citizen groups want the BMC to carry out wider consultation with citizens, NGOs, and experts on draft policy guidelines for outdoor advertisement and have also sought a public hearing on the issue before the policy is finalised. The last date for suggestions and objections is Monday. NGO Awaaz Foundation has written to the BMC and has objected to the draft policy with regard to digital and illuminated hoardings , pointing to the absence of a scientific study on light pollution and its impact.
The foundation expressed its concern about the lack of restrictions on maximum permissible illumination and the lack of restrictions on colour scale, height, and video displays on digital displays. In most countries, city lighting is regulated, particularly in residential areas, and on motorable roads, stated Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation. "There is a need for wider consultation similar to the way the BMC did for the Development Plan.
The civic body should consult citizens and not just academic experts. They should grant them more time for suggestions, objections, and for compiling policies of other countries, as light pollution impacts the health of citizens and all stakeholders, including doctors, have to be consulted," added Abdulali, who also demanded that the BMC set a maximum illuminance limit for digital hoardings and demarcate where hoardings will be permitted. A BMC official said that the civic body is likely to extend the time for providing suggestions and objections.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Kiran Dighavkar said that a committee, which has professors from IIT Bombay as members, is looking into the lux levels of the hoardings. The BMC has also appointed a private agency to test the LUX levels of 10 hoardings. The civic body will carry out a survey regarding LUX levels among various motorists and citizens before taking a call on the guidelines for digital hoardings.
Meanwhile, the Watchdog Foundation has demanded that no hoardings be permitted in proximity to trees or near traffic signals, limiting the number of hoardings in an area, besides banning digital advertising on road medians..
