BMC Enforces Mandatory Marathi Signboards – Following its initial inspection drive across street-level commercial establishments, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has expanded its enforcement to mandate Marathi (Devanagari script) signboards for all shops, outlets, and stalls inside shopping malls and major commercial complexes across Mumbai. Civic authorities confirmed that non-compliant establishments will face strict legal notices and monetary fines.
BMC Enforces Mandatory Marathi Signboards – Law Committee Decision and Phase 2 Drive for Major Establishments
The decision was finalized during a joint meeting chaired by BMC Law Committee Chairperson Diksha Karkar. Following an initial phase that covered thousands of roadside businesses, the civic administration instructed officers to re-inspect major markets along SV Road, LBS Road, Link Road, and the Express Highways. In this second phase, civic teams will systematically inspect prominent brands, luxury outlets, and retail stores housed within shopping malls and commercial hubs to ensure full compliance with Devanagari signboard rules.
BMC Enforces Mandatory Marathi Signboards – Phase 1 Compliance Metrics and Recovery of Fines
During the initial inspection period conducted between May 14 and June 4, BMC officials surveyed 36,773 establishments. Out of these, 1,124 inspection reports were drafted, and court cases were filed against 638 defaulting businesses. Around 343 establishments applied to compound their offenses, resulting in the recovery of ₹12,23,500 in fines from 190 compliant shops, while 143 cases remain in the final stages of judicial action.
BMC Enforces Mandatory Marathi Signboards – Strict Enforcement Guidelines and Publicized Judicial Action
To ensure compliance, the Law Committee directed ward officers to initiate strict judicial proceedings against two to three major repeat offenders per ward and publicize the legal actions as a deterrent. Under the prevailing rules, Marathi text in Devanagari script must be displayed prominently, with font sizes equal to or larger than any accompanying non-Marathi text. Officials clarified that operating inside private shopping malls does not exempt any retailer from state regulations.
