Mumbai: Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has announced a campaign against unauthorised flex banners, posters and advertisements, seeking to curb plastic waste and visual pollution.

Titled ‘Shadu Bappa for 10 days – Flex-free Mumbai for 365 days’, the campaign aims to extend the environmental message of Ganeshotsav throughout the year. Tawde has written to Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and plans to approach political party leaders for support.

The proposed system will require every authorised banner to carry its permit number, validity period, printer’s name and a QR code. Officials and citizens will be able to scan the code to verify permissions. Banners without the QR code will be treated as unauthorised and may be removed and seized.

Action is proposed under Sections 328 and 328(A) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act and the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995. Violators could face penalties, while police complaints and FIRs may be filed where required. Repeat offenders among printers, contractors and agencies could also be permanently blacklisted.

The proposal includes a digital single-window system for outdoor advertising permissions and calls for seized PVC and plastic material to be recycled. Citizens will be able to report violations through the BMC’s 1916 helpline, website and MyBMC app, with action targeted within 72 hours.

A weekly ward dashboard on enforcement, fines and cases will be submitted to the mayor.

Tawde urged political parties and citizens to cooperate, saying political differences should be kept aside to make Mumbai free of unauthorised flex banners.