Pune – The Pune Association of Small Hoardings Advertisers has raised serious allegations against the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), claiming that the civic body is unfairly targeting legal hoardings over minor issues.
This comes amid an ongoing crackdown on illegal hoardings, initiated in the wake of the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse. Members of the association assert that the PMC has been excessively stringent with legal hoardings, citing trivial issues such as delays in painting the structures. In stark contrast, they allege that the PMC has overlooked approximately 700-800 illegal hoardings in merged areas, purportedly due to the involvement of political figures or their interests.
Civic officials, however, have refuted these allegations, maintaining that all actions are being conducted in strict accordance with the rules. The association comprises members who own up to ten hoardings each in the city and operates under the broader Pune Outdoor Advertising Association, which is affiliated with the All India Outdoor Advertising Association. A representative from the association detailed instances where compliant hoardings were targeted. “Three of my hoarding structures, despite having valid structural audit certificates, were dismantled simply because they were not painted. The municipal officials seem to be making an issue out of anything to justify action against our legal hoardings. We were repeatedly asked to submit documents that had already been provided,” the official stated. Members further reported that the civic body demanded stability checks, despite their certificates being valid until March 2026.
The advertisers also alleged that they were being required to submit documentation that is not mandated by the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (Regulation and Control of the Display of Sky Signs and Advertisement) Rules, 2022. This additional bureaucracy, they argue, is an unnecessary burden and an indication of the PMC’s overreach.
Civic officials reiterated that the enforcement actions are consistent with regulatory requirements. They emphasized that the removal of non-compliant hoardings, whether for structural deficiencies or other regulatory violations, is a necessary measure to ensure public safety and adherence to municipal regulations. The conflict highlights the ongoing tension between regulatory authorities and business entities over compliance and enforcement. While the PMC insists on stringent adherence to rules to prevent incidents like the Ghatkopar collapse, advertisers argue that the civic body’s approach is disproportionately harsh on legal businesses, potentially stifling lawful advertising activities in the city.
As the dispute continues, it underscores the need for a balanced approach that ensures public safety without unduly penalizing compliant businesses. Dialogue between the PMC and hoarding advertisers could be instrumental in resolving these issues, fostering a more collaborative environment for regulatory compliance and business operations.
