Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is set to adopt its much-delayed advertisement policy by March 2025, Mayor Firhad Hakim announced on Saturday. This long-awaited policy, initially drafted in 2022, seeks to regulate the rampant proliferation of illegal billboards and ensure a cleaner urban landscape. Currently awaiting approval from the state’s urban development and municipal affairs department, the policy aims to establish clear guidelines for outdoor advertisements, including designated no-advertisement zones and a ban on private billboards in key areas like Park Street and Camac Street.
The policy will also mandate the removal of temporary hoardings installed during festivities such as Durga Puja but left to clutter pavements for weeks. An official revealed that while KMC’s mayoral council had approved the policy earlier, final implementation hinges on the state department’s nod. Mayor Hakim, who also serves as the urban development minister, stressed the need for these measures to restore order and reduce visual pollution across the city.
Illegal and densely packed hoardings currently dominate major stretches like EM Bypass, Rashbehari crossing, and Esplanade. This unregulated sprawl not only diminishes the city’s aesthetics but also poses safety risks. In March 2023, the mayor had expressed dissatisfaction with the draft, urging changes to limit overcrowding of billboards, which he argued undermines their effectiveness and creates distractions for motorists.
From a sustainability perspective, the new policy’s proposed restrictions aim to prioritise eco-friendly urban planning. Reducing billboard density can minimise resource waste and energy consumption associated with illumination and maintenance. Moreover, prohibiting hoardings along sensitive zones such as Parama Flyover will enhance safety and allow for greener, unobstructed landscapes.
Civic concerns over illegal billboards are echoed across the metropolitan region. Recently, the Calcutta High Court criticised the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation for neglecting similar issues in Salt Lake. This underscores the urgent need for cohesive implementation across jurisdictions to ensure sustainable and visually appealing urban spaces in Kolkata and beyond.