MUMBAI: The BMC plans to give out four of its pedestrian subways at prime locations in the city for advertisements. In lieu of that, the agency given the advertisement rights would be expected to maintain the subway space and provide adequate security to ensure there are no anti-social elements creating a nuisance.
The four subways include the ones at Churchgate and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) that lead to and out of the railway stations, the Metro Cinema junction and Haji Ali.
While the CSMT and Churchgate subways witness heavy footfall, especially during peak hours, the other two at Haji Ali and Metro Cinema junction do not see much pedestrian movement. TOI visited the Metro Cinema subway recently and found barely a few people using it.
It may be recalled that in January 2016, the Metro Cinema subway was in the news when the police arrested a youth for allegedly molesting a college student inside it. This was after the survivor had cccompanied her mother to the subway as she insisted on visiting the spot. They found the accused loitering around as if looking for another target. The mother had immediately called the police and he was nabbed.
A civic licence department official said a policy is being drafted under which agencies would be appointed and given a certain amount of space in the subways for advertisements.
“In lieu of that, they would need to maintain the subway, ensure it is clean at all times and place adequate guards at all entry-exit points to ensure any security concern is taken care of,” said the official.
Calling it a welcome move, RTI activist Anil Galgali said, “However, instead of only a barter system where the agency would be expected to maintain the space for being allowed to advertise in it, the BMC should also charge some amount from the agency as these subways are located in prime areas of the city.”
Activist Zoru Bhathena said the BMC may be unable to find any takers for advertisements.
Bhatena said, “Except CSMT and Churchgate subways, the other two are hardly used by pedestrians. Why would any agency want to advertise in these?”
CSMT, Churchgate and Metro subways have CCTV cameras, so officials say in case agencies do not maintain them, the spaces could be still monitored. A few of the activists said some subways already have illegally displayed advertisements, so if the BMC gives out the space legally, it could work to their advantage.
