In a decisive move against unauthorised hoardings, over 13 gram panchayats in Pimpri Chinchwad have submitted detailed reports on illegal structures to the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), urging immediate action.
This collective demand follows directives from the district collector’s office, which called for comprehensive surveys of illegal hoardings and stringent measures against violators.
The urgency of this crackdown has been amplified by recent incidents of hoarding collapses in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, and Kiwale in Pimpri Chinchwad, which have heightened concerns about public safety. In response, the gram panchayats have written to the PMRDA, providing exhaustive details on the number, locations, sizes, and ownership of the hoardings. Notices have already been issued to the respective owners of these structures.
The PMRDA, which oversees approximately 850 villages across nine talukas, is under increasing pressure from local bodies to address this issue. The villages involved in this initiative include Gahunje, Kasarsai, Malwadi, Man, Somatne, Patan, Varale, Nande, Kadamwasti (Haveli), Amble, Hinjwadi, Kusgaon Budruk (Maval), and Marunji. With local elections currently underway, the PMRDA is expected to prioritise action against these unauthorised hoardings once the electoral process concludes.
Despite having a dedicated sky signs department, the PMRDA’s efforts are hampered by the absence of clear regulations regarding hoarding approvals and takedowns. Current regulations lack specificity on permissible sizes and enforcement mechanisms, creating obstacles for effective governance and decision-making.
In parallel, the Central Roads and Development Corporation (CRDC) has also called for the immediate removal of hazardous hoardings near highways, reinforcing the demand for stricter oversight. Citing an incident last year where heavy rains and strong winds caused hoardings to collapse in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation areas, the CRDC emphasised the need for heightened vigilance by the PMRDA and related authorities.
The CRDC’s letter to the PMRDA administration stresses the importance of inspecting and removing unsafe hoardings along national highways to ensure traffic safety. It suggests that hoardings should be limited to 13 metres in height, placed at least 50 metres from the highway’s centreline, and situated 75 metres from the highway’s centre to mitigate risks of accidents due to structural deterioration.
This combined pressure from gram panchayats and the CRDC underscores the urgent need for the PMRDA to establish and enforce clear regulations regarding hoardings. As local authorities and regional development bodies push for swift action, the focus remains on ensuring public safety and maintaining orderly urban development. The resolution of this issue will serve as a benchmark for effective governance and regulatory compliance in the region.
