A month after a hoarding collapsed in Ghatkopar claiming 17 lives, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has framed comprehensive guidelines for the certification and inspection of hoardings in Mumbai. This is also the first time that the existing hoarding policies in Mumbai are being updated since 2008 — when they were first drafted. While there has been no change in the restriction of size of new hoardings, the new guidelines focus on their structural aspects. According to the guidelines, only perforated sheets are to be used for the new hoardings in Mumbai as a safety measure during cyclones. “Fifty per cent of the panels (perforated sheets) should have arrangement for removing and stacking them to allow reduction of wind pressure by 50 per cent during cyclonic conditions. Bolted connections are also recommended with locking nut provisions for safety. Existing hoardings needs to comply to these rules within two years,” read the new policy. The guidelines also state that the maximum allowable life for a hoarding is 50 years, since the first date of approval and for existing hoardings, a structural audit report should be submitted to the BMC after every two years. The guidelines also state that the structures should have a non-reflective finish to prevent glare and climbing arrangements should be made to allow regular inspection of the structure. The rules also state that cladding of entire structure would not be allowed since it hampers inspection drives. The new rules also mandate the submission of certificate from a geotechnical consultant on the stability of the foundation along with certificates from a licensed site supervisor, a structural consultant, and an electrical consultant on structural stability, fittings and fixtures, and earthing. The rules also state that generators running on kerosene, diesel or any fuel that causes air and water pollution shouldn’t be used to illuminate the hoardings. For the existing hoardings, a geotechnical survey of the foundations needs to be carried out after every 10 years, the rules state. “In the absence of the availability of a consultant, the stability certificates of hoardings should be received from an empaneled consultant that needs to be further verified from an institution such as the VJTI or the IIT,” the guidelines state. The guidelines also disallow the erection of hoardings and billboards on dilapidated buildings that are classified as C1 and C2A category by the BMC. “Consultants has to ensure that the building structures doesn't fall under c1, c2A categories. Buildings that are older than 30 years will have to submit structural audit report before erecting hoardings on their terraces,” the guidelines read. The guidelines were framed following a meeting of BMC officials and additional chief secretary (home) on Wednesday. The authorities have also mandated the submission of drawings pertaining to the site layout plan, foundations and pedestal drawings of the structure along with details of design and blueprint of the structure. The 2008 guidelines stated that an agency must obtain approval from a licensed structural engineer of the government or the municipal corporation before erecting a hoarding. If the hoarding is intended for installation on a building, the rules mandated a structural audit of the building. Additionally, the 2008 guidelines imposed a maximum size limit of 40x40 feet for billboards. Senior civic officials indicate that these dimensions were determined through an analysis of factors such as maximum wind speeds, geological strata, and other relevant parameters characteristic of the coastal city.
