No obstructive ads on Mumbai roads, pavements during Ganeshotsav 2026 and Navratri: BMC to mandals

As part of Pedestrian Firstrsquo campaign the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC has asked Ganesh and Navratri festival mandals organisers not to put up advertisements on roads and pavements in a way that blocks or inconveniences pedestriansBMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide appealed to festival organisers advertisers and citizens to cooperate with the civic bodyrsquos lsquoPedestrian Firstrsquo campaign and strictly follow the rules issued for displaying commercial advertisements during the Ganesh and Navratri festivals an official statement saidMumbai sees a large number of devotees and visitors during the Ganesh festival Many people travel on foot to visit pandals and seek darshan The BMC said it is therefore important to keep pedestrian routes clear and safe during the festive period in MumbaiBMC stresses pedestrian safetyThe civic administration has been implementing several measures under its lsquoPedestrian Firstrsquo campaign to make walking in Mumbai safer and easier The campaign has received significant public participation and has been widely appreciated according to the BMC the statement saidBhide has appealed to citizens and festival organisers not to put up unauthorised advertisements on roads or pavements and to follow the prescribed rulesThe BMC said its administration and the Licence Department have also been instructed to remove advertisement boards that create obstructionsRules for commercial advertisementsThe BMC has issued several guidelines for commercial advertisements displayed by Ganesh and Navratri mandalsThe mandals should strictly avoid displaying advertisements for pan masala tobacco products and other prohibited products the BMC saidAdvertisements must not obstruct pedestrians using pavements or interfere with traffic on roadsA mandal may display a lsquoDevotees are warmly welcomedrsquo message on the horizontal upper section of its traditional entrance gateCommercial advertisements from donors may be displayed on the left and right vertical sections of the entrance gateMandals have been encouraged to display social and civic messages to create public awarenessMandals may install digital screens of up to 10 feet by 10 feet for publicinterest healthrelated and commercial messages Such installations require permission from the BMC subject to No Objection Certificates NOCs from the Traffic Department and the local police station it saidRules continue after immersionThe BMC said the advertising rules will also apply after the festival immersion processDuring the public Ganesh and Navratri festival period as well as on the day after immersion the respective mandals must take the initiative to remove the advertisement boards themselvesThe Mumbai civic body has urged organisers to ensure that commercial advertising remains disciplined while preserving the religious and social character of the festivalsBhide has appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate with the administration and ensure that Mumbairsquos roads and pavements remain accessible to pedestrians during the festive season