Environmental NGO Awaaz Foundation has urged Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene against the proposed Maharashtra Maritime Board (Regulation of Display of Advertisements) Regulations 2026. In a letter dated May 9, founder Sumaira Abdulali expressed concerns about potential light pollution, biodiversity loss, and visual degradation of the state’s coastline due to the proposed advertising measures. The regulations would permit various advertising formats, including illuminated boards and aerial displays, in coastal areas managed by the Maharashtra Maritime Board.
Awaaz Foundation argues that unrestricted advertising could harm migratory birds, marine ecosystems, and public health by increasing light pollution and disrupting sleep patterns. The NGO also highlighted potential road safety hazards from bright or animated digital displays. They called for the withdrawal of the notification and emphasized the need for public consultations, personal hearings, and stricter regulations on the brightness, placement, and size of advertisements.
The letter referenced global cities like New York and Tokyo, where illuminated advertisements are confined to designated commercial zones. Awaaz Foundation criticized the government’s failure to address the detrimental effects of advertising on the environment, climate, and public health, despite claims of prioritizing these issues. They requested a personal hearing to present their concerns to the relevant authorities.
In April, the Maharashtra Maritime Board announced the new advertising regulations, aiming to monetize its assets through a transparent bidding process. However, local resident groups have raised objections regarding the impact on urban aesthetics, as the policy encompasses various advertising formats, including digital boards and floating structures.
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