BMC threatens license revocation for Ego Media following deadly hoarding collapse

Ego Media, a Mumbai-based advertising outfit, has come under scrutiny after a hoarding erected by the firm collapsed and claimed lives during the gusty storm that hit the city on Monday.

According to a report in The Times of India, Bhavesh Bhide, the director of Ego Media Pvt Ltd, responsible for erecting the collapsed hoarding in Ghatkopar, has been sent a notice regarding the alleged illegal placement of the hoarding that claimed 14 lives and injured more than 70 people in the incident.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has reportedly issued a notice to the advertising firm, warning that it may be stripped of its licenses if the remaining eight (alleged) illegal hoardings in the area are not removed within 10 days.

According to media reports, the hoarding was erected on collector land, which was in possession of the Police Housing Welfare Corporation of the Government of Maharashtra, as per the property card records. The land was initially allotted to the Government Railway Police.

Video credit: Associated Press.

Just two weeks ago, a BMC official reported that the body had issued a notice to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Admin) of Railway Police to instruct the advertising agency to cancel all permissions and remove the hoardings.

Mumbai Police had also registered a case against Ego Media for allegedly poisoning trees that obstructed the view of the hoardings in the Chheda Nagar area, he said.

The alleged illegal hoarding measured 120 x 120 square feet in size, while the approved limit by the BMC is only 40 x 40 square feet.

The Government Railway Police has launched a probe into the matter.