In preparation for the upcoming Durga Puja festival, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has unveiled a series of new regulations aimed at regulating temporary advertisements and hoardings across the city. These measures are designed to address longstanding issues related to the management and removal of festival-related advertising materials.
Under the new rules, all temporary advertisements must prominently display both the name of the advertising agency and the associated Puja committee. This requirement is intended to increase accountability and ensure that responsible parties are easily identifiable. With Durga Puja less than a month away, Puja committees in Kolkata are actively organising their advertising strategies, including arranging temporary hoardings for their sponsors. Historically, the post-festival period has been plagued by challenges related to the removal of hoardings and banners, which often linger well beyond the end of the festivities. This has not only complicated cleanup efforts but also led to increased municipal costs and logistical headaches. In response, the KMC has decided to enforce stricter guidelines this year.
According to the new regulations, all temporary advertisements must be dismantled within seven days following Bijoya Dashami, the concluding day of the festival. Failure to comply with this directive will result in the confiscation of hoardings and bamboo frames by municipal authorities. A KMC official remarked, “Removing hoardings after the festival has been a major challenge and expense for us. We are taking proactive steps this year to avoid these issues and have clearly communicated our expectations in advance.” The introduction of these regulations highlights the KMC’s commitment to streamlining the festival’s advertising process and reducing the post-event cleanup burden. By enforcing these new rules, the KMC aims to enhance the efficiency of festival management and ensure a cleaner and more organised cityscape during and after the Durga Puja celebrations.
