Mumbai: Environmental NGO Awaaz Foundation has written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking personal intervention against the proposed Maharashtra Maritime Board (Regulation of Display of Advertisements) Regulations 2026, raising concerns over light pollution, biodiversity loss and visual defacement of Maharashtra’s coastline.In the letter to Fadnavis, dated May 9, Awaaz Foundation founder Sumaira Abdulali objected to provisions allowing various forms of advertisements, including illuminated boards, LED displays, laser shows, hot-air balloons, and aerial advertising, along coastal areas under the jurisdiction of the Maharashtra Maritime Board.The NGO argued that unrestricted advertising could adversely impact migratory birds, mangroves, marine ecosystems, and public health by increasing light pollution and disturbing sleep cycles. It also flagged potential road safety risks from bright or moving digital displays. The NGO demanded withdrawal of the notification and called for public consultations, personal hearings and stricter regulations on brightness, animation, placement and size of advertisements. In the letter, the NGO also cited examples from global cities, such as New York City and Tokyo, where illuminated advertisements are restricted to designated commercial zones.The letter stated: “We hereby object to the subject notification for the detrimental effects it would have on environment and biodiversity, climate and human health. We submit that although display of advertisements in places of scenic beauty and light pollution from advertisements have detrimental effects on all of these, these issues are completely ignored even though climate and environment, health, and road safety are stated as being amongst the top-most priorities of the Government of Maharashtra. The government has stated that it has placed emphasis within its policies to protect from all types of environmental harm. In the absence of any scientific report on the effects of advertisements in places of scenic beauty along Maharashtra’s coastline and of light pollution emanating from advertisements; light pollution and its impacts in the short, medium and long-term bordering residential areas, along roadsides, in the sky blocking views of the sky and sea (some of the only remaining natural views in urban areas), Awaaz Foundation objects to the notification. In addition, Awaaz Foundation requests a personal hearing and an opportunity to make detailed submissions before the concerned authorities of the Maharashtra Maritime Board and/or any other concerned authorities.” In April, Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) had notified the Regulation of Display of Advertisements Regulations, 2026, allowing commercial advertisements on coastal hoardings, hot-air balloons, vessels/barges, and floatels. The policy aims to monetise MMB assets through a transparent bidding process, though local resident groups have raised objections regarding urban aesthetics. The policy covers hoardings, digital/electronic boards, neon signage, banner/posters on MMB land, vessel-based ads, and floating structures (floatels).
