Pune: PMC Inspectors Mandated to Document Hoardings with Photos and Written Reports
Pune, 7th June 2024: During the process of obtaining licenses for hoardings, everything appears to be in order on paper. However, in reality, many rules are being broken. It has been observed that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) grants permission for these violations. To address this issue, all inspectors from the Skysign and Licenses Department of PMC have been briefed on the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (Regulation and Control of the Display of Sky-signs and Advertisement) Rules, 2022. Furthermore, they have been instructed to take a photograph of every hoarding and submit a report on hoardings across the city. This measure aims to bring any misconduct by the Skysign and Licenses Department inspectors to light.
Following the tragic incident in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar, where 16 people lost their lives and more than 70 were injured due to a massive hoarding collapse during heavy rain, PMC has become vigilant. However, the momentum of actions slowed down due to opposition from hoarding owners and the Lok Sabha elections. As lives are at risk due to improperly and illegally erected hoardings, these actions are crucial. Therefore, officials from the Skysign and Licenses Department, along with Ward Office officials, convened a meeting.
Despite PMC granting permission for 2,598 hoardings in Pune, many more unauthorized hoardings are visible. Although rules are being violated, no action is taken as hoarding owners claim to have permission. Upon noticing this, PMC Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale and Additional Commissioner Prithviraj BP took notice and demanded action. Inspectors from 15 ward offices and the Skysign and Licensing Department are required to photograph every hoarding in their respective areas and submit a written report, clearly specifying any violations of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (Regulation and Control of the Display of Sky-signs and Advertisement) Rules, 2022. Any attempt to mislead with false information will result in the immediate suspension of the sky sign inspector, as warned by PMC Commissioner Dr. Bhosale.
As a result, Additional Commissioner Prithviraj BP instructed some employees to photograph hoardings across different parts of the city to determine if they were erected in violation of the rules. Approximately 150 photos were taken, revealing several illegally erected hoardings. Therefore, orders have been issued to photograph all 2,598 hoardings and submit a comprehensive report. Prithviraj BP also emphasized that action will be taken against those who trim tree branches to accommodate hoardings.
