No permission granted for LED hoardings at Mumbai’s Carter Rd promenade, stop work notice issued: Min

Mumbai: In a relief for residents, the Maharashtra fisheries and ports development minister Nitesh Rane on Monday told TOI that no permission was granted for the LED hoardings coming up at the Carter Road Promenade, adding that a stop-work notice was already issued by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB).Rane clarified that while the MMB is exploring the implementation of a hoarding policy on certain MMB-owned plots, permissions for the upcoming hoarding will not be allowed at the Carter Road Promenade for now.
"I already spoke to the MMB officers and asked them to stop any work being carried out on the promenade," Rane told TOI. A private company was awarded the maintenance and beautification contract under a structured Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model nearly one year ago.Meanwhile, former corporator Asif Zakaria wrote to the MMB seeking cancellation of the contract awarded for the LED boards, questioning the contractor's claims of spending Rs 90 lakh on maintenance over the past year. Zakaria said the expenditure cited by the contractor "does not reflect the ground reality in any manner", arguing that the condition and upkeep of the promenade do not justify such costs. He urged the maritime board to review the contract and halt any further work at the site.Amid the controversy over the proposed LED hoardings along Bandra's Carter Road Promenade, the Bandra West Residents Association (BWRA) also wrote to multiple authorities, including the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), asserting that the promenade—built and maintained by local residents over the past 25 years—is a vital public open space used daily by thousands of citizens.The Carter Road Promenade is one of the most frequented open spaces, serving as a vital recreational and social hub for residents across Bandra and beyond. Lined with seating areas and views of the Arabian Sea, the promenade attracts thousands of walkers, joggers, senior citizens, families, and visitors every day. Over the years, it evolved into a rare, accessible waterfront space in a densely built neighbourhood.