With an aim to maintain the aesthetic appeal of Thane city, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) undertook a rigorous cleanup campaign on Wednesday, February 21. As part of this initiative, a whopping 904 unauthorized flexes, banners, and posters were removed from various areas within the municipal jurisdiction.

The cleanup drive, which is a recurring event every Wednesday, aims to rid the city of visual pollution caused by unauthorized advertisements and promotional materials. Municipal Commissioner, Abhijit Bangar, has been instrumental in spearheading this effort, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the city's beauty and cleanliness.

Among the areas targeted in this special action campaign, the Naupada-Kopri ward committee area witnessed the removal of the highest number of unauthorized materials, with 269 flexes and banners being taken down.

Highlighting the significance of adhering to regulations, officials reiterated the necessity of obtaining permission from the Municipal Corporation before erecting temporary banners or posters. To streamline this process, the TMC has launched a dedicated online portal, [tmc.advertisepermission.in](https://tmc.advertisepermission.in/), where citizens can apply for permission and pay the requisite fees for displaying advertisements.

A ward-wise policy has been formulated to designate specific locations for temporary advertisements, with a total of 204 approved sites identified across the municipal area. Interested parties can apply for permission to display banners and posters for a duration of three days, following which a nominal rental fee will be charged based on the size and location of the advertisement.

The move towards a regulated advertising framework aims to strike a balance between commercial interests and the city's visual appeal, ensuring that Thane remains a vibrant yet orderly urban landscape.

Box

Ward wise action data

1. Naupada-Kopri: 269

2. Wagle: 74

3. Vartak Nagar: 75

4. Lokmanya Nagar-Savarkar Nagar: 150

5. Majiwada-Manpada: 80

6. Uthalsar: 11

7. Kalwa: 50

8. Diva: 123

9. Mumbra: 72