The Danger of Sandstorms: Mumbai’s Billboard Accident and the Need for Clear Rules
A sandstorm is a natural phenomenon that occurs when strong winds blow fine sand particles and dust from a dry surface, suspending them in the air. These suspended particles can cause erosion where they were initially located.
Causes of Sandstorms:
- Strong Winds: Sandstorms are caused by strong winds that blow over loose sand particles. The force of the wind makes the sand particles vibrate, lifting them off the ground. This process is called saltation.
- Thunderstorm Outflows: In deserts, sandstorms are commonly caused by the outflows of thunderstorms. Rain-cooled air from severe thunderstorms can produce strong winds that lift dust and sand particles.
- Dry Cold Fronts: Sandstorms can also be triggered by dry cold fronts, which move into a dry air mass without producing precipitation. These fronts create strong winds that pick up loose material from the ground.
The Incident:
On 13th of May 2024, Mumbai experienced an unseasonal sandstorm accompanied by heavy rains and gusty winds. The strong winds, which were part of the sandstorm, caused a 100-foot-tall billboard to be uprooted and fall on a petrol pump and nearby houses at the Cheddanagar Junction in the Ghatkopar area.
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| Image of Billboard collapse in Ghatkopar, Mumbai |
The event resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people and injuries to over 70 others. This incident has raised significant concerns as the billboard was erected without authorization from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Following the tragedy, the BMC has stated that, it will take action against individuals responsible for putting up illegal billboards in the city.
This reactive response after the fact is not very effective, especially considering that deaths from unsafe hoardings are not a new occurrence in India. Shortly after this incident, a hoarding collapsed on the Pune-Solapur highway, injuring an animal due to rain. In May 2023, another unauthorized hoarding was collapsed in Pune, resulting in the deaths of five people. Then, in June 2023, three workers were crushed when the large hoarding they were putting up collapsed at Thekkalur near Karumathampatti in Coimbatore district.
The Mumbai incident involving a collapsed hoarding, which was nine times the allowable size, suggests a lack of supervision by the BMC. An examination of outdoor advertising regulations in various Indian cities reveals a lack of provisions for timely action against unauthorized hoardings.
Violations of Dimensions:
Despite the fact that the policies specify the largest allowable dimensions for billboards, numerous cities have signs that exceed the permissible sizes. High Courts frequently criticize corporations for their failure to act or enforce advertising regulations. In a previous instance, the Bombay High Court even outlined the process for removing illegal billboards and directed that it be carried out by two police officers and a civic staff member. Despite numerous orders since 2017, the corporation's negligence has led to a serious issue like this.
Lack of transparency and weak enforcement:
The city corporations face two main obstacles in enforcing advertising regulations: a lack of transparency and inconsistent enforcement. When it comes to transparency, advertisement policies should clearly outline the procedures for lodging complaints about illegal advertisements and the resulting actions to be taken. Regarding enforcement, there is a requirement for a system that guarantees the swift removal of unauthorized hoardings.
The different outdoor advertising regulations currently in place have enforcement mechanisms. According to the Delhi Outdoor Advertising Policy, 2017, owners of ads that do not comply with the policy must be instructed to remove the structure within a set timeframe. If they fail to do so, the municipal authority will remove it. The policy also permits the removal of unauthorized devices that endanger road traffic without prior complaint.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Advertisement Rules, 2021 included a more thorough enforcement system, allowing the Chief Commissioner to remove unauthorized hoardings and establishing an Advertisement Regulatory Committee. However, the rules were taken back following public criticism. This committee was responsible for monitoring compliance with the rules and taking action to remove unauthorized advertisements.
In accordance with the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023, it is mandatory for the relevant municipal officials to conduct a review of hoarding licenses every three months and to provide quarterly reports to the chief administrative officer of the urban local body.
Proposed Solutions:
The appointment of inter-departmental bodies to conduct regular zone-wise or ward-wise inspections of outdoor advertisements is one way to prevent unauthorized hoardings. This would make periodic inspections a required responsibility, rather than a decision left to the discretion of the municipal authority. These enforcement and monitoring bodies could involve personnel from the traffic department, as well as officers from the corporations and departmental safety engineers at the zonal- or ward-level.
City-level regulations should outline the steps that corporation officials should take after identifying unauthorized hoardings. It should be noted that unauthorized hoardings encompass not only permanent installations but also unauthorized banners and flexes (frequently erected by political party members), which, despite being temporary, also present a notable safety hazard. Action should be taken against officials, who fail to remove illegal structures despite of several complaints.
Corporations should also consider establishing systems and methods for citizens to report violations. Technology, like using QR codes on approved billboards, can be utilized to effectively monitor compliance.
Conclusion:
Policies and guidelines should set out safety requirements for outdoor advertising infrastructure, but the ongoing enforcement of these standards is often neglected. When unauthorized billboards cause harm, corporations frequently try to avoid responsibility by arguing that the structures were illegal to begin with. However, it is crucial for local authorities to acknowledge their role in removing illegal outdoor advertisements and take responsibility for identifying unauthorized advertising structures.
Municipal bodies need to establish proactive enforcement measures, rather than waiting to act only in response to court orders or distressing incidents like the one in Mumbai.
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Disaster Management
