The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) recent move of making it mandatory for shops to use signage boards with regional language is set to create an influx of business opportunities for the signage industry in India. With the dates of its 2022 edition nearing, Media Expo’s return after two years in Mumbai will be the perfect meeting point to identify innovative as well as cost-effective signage solutions.
As per widespread media reports, in its recent circular, BMC has directed all shops to have signboards in Marathi compulsorily. The order stated that if the signboard displays the name of any shop or business in more than one script, the one in Devanagari should be bigger. The order comes a day after the BMC asked schools in Mumbai to display their names in Marathi in visible spots.
Reportedly, the state legislature had cleared two bills making Marathi signboards in Devanagari script compulsory for shops and establishments, and making the language mandatory for all official purposes in local bodies.
The latest circulars also mandate that the font of the Marathi-Devanagari script cannot be smaller than that of other scripts. If the signboard of any shop or business displays the name in more than one script, the Devanagari name should have a bigger font. The decision will cover all sorts of establishments, like grocery shops, offices, hotels, restaurants, bars and theatres.
The BMC further said that liquor shops or bars must not bear the names of legendary personalities and historical forts. Way back in 2008, the BMC had ordered all shops and establishments to display Marathi signboards. However, it had to withdraw its order following orders from the Bombay High Court.
