BMC threatens action against Mumbai marathon organisers

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked the organisers of the Mumbai International Marathon asking them to pay Rs 5.48 crore within 24 hours, failing which they are likely to face action for defacing the city.

According to BMC officials, the office of superintendent of licenses, while granting permission for display of advertisements (hoardings, brandings and laser show) during the marathon, had asked the event management firm M/s Procam International to pay Rs 5.48 crore to the A ward municipal office.

However, since it was not followed, the ward office has sent a notice asking them to pay the sum immediately. The civic body has threatened organisers to take action under 328/328A of MMC Act, which deals with display of advertisements.

“The organisers are directed to pay the advertisement fee, ground rent and security deposit amounting to Rs 5.48 crore in A ward municipal office within 24 hours from the receipt of this letter failing which all the advertisements displayed by the means of boards, brandings and lesser show will be removed and legal action as prescribed in the Act will be initiated further,” said the BMC’s notice.