Archive · 20 Aug 2026
BMC Intensifies Mumbai Marathi Signboard Inspections And Legal Action
Mumbai’s civic body is checking shop signs to make sure they include Marathi.
It plans to inspect shops, malls and other businesses again.
The inspections will cover several major roads and establishments that previously broke the rules.
Earlier, officials checked 36,773 establishments.
They reported violations at 1,124 places and started court proceedings against 638.
Some businesses tried to settle their cases.
So far, 190 businesses have paid fines totaling Rs 12.23 lakh.
Businesses that continue to break the rule can face a fine of Rs 2,000 each day.
The BMC will reinspect shops, malls, markets and commercial establishments across Mumbai for Marathi signboard compliance.
Between May 14 and June 4, 2026, officials inspected 36,773 establishments and prepared reports in 1,124 cases.
Court proceedings were initiated against 638 establishments, while 343 sought to settle their violations.
Of those seeking settlement, 190 establishments paid fines totaling Rs 12.23 lakh; 143 cases remain at the final stage.
The rules require Marathi lettering in Devanagari to match the font size of other languages, with violators potentially fined Rs 2,000 per day.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, under a decision involving Law Committee chairperson Diksha Karkar, is conducting the inspections.
- What
- The BMC is intensifying inspections and legal action against establishments that do not display Marathi on their signboards.
- When
- The intensified second phase was decided at a meeting on August 13, 2026; the report is dated August 19, 2026.
- Where
- Across Mumbai, including S.V. Road, L.B.S. Road, Link Road, and both sides of the Eastern and Western Express Highways.
- Why
- To enforce rules requiring establishments to display Marathi signboards, with Marathi lettering the same size as other languages.
- First-phase inspections
- 36,773 establishments were inspected between May 14 and June 4, 2026.
- Inspection reports
- Reports were prepared in 1,124 cases.
- Court proceedings
- Proceedings were initiated against 638 establishments.
- Settlements
- 343 establishments sought to settle their violations.
- Fines paid
- 190 establishments paid fines totaling Rs 12.23 lakh.
- Outstanding cases
- Proceedings in 143 cases were at the final stage.
- Potential penalty
- Continued violations can attract a fine of Rs 2,000 per day.