Over 25,000 Illegal Banners Removed in Pune; PCMC Fines Violators Rs 1.2 Lakh
Pune/Pimpri, 31st October 2025: In a renewed drive to curb illegal advertisements ahead of the upcoming civic elections, the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations have intensified their campaigns against unauthorized hoardings, banners, and flexes across the twin cities.
Officials from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) said that between October 27 and 30, a total of 4,246 illegal flexes and kiosks were removed, and fines amounting to ₹1.2 lakh were collected from offenders. The action followed a review meeting chaired by PCMC Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, who instructed officials to seek police assistance to ensure swift removal of all unauthorized structures.
In Pune, the Municipal Corporation’s Sky Sign Department has also stepped up enforcement since Diwali. Over the past 10 days, more than 25,000 illegal flexes, hoardings, and banners were pulled down, including 4,200 removed on a single day — October 24.
A senior PCMC official said most of the unauthorized displays were political in nature. “Nearly 70% of the flexes we removed were put up by political aspirants. Many of these were festival greetings or promotional banners that violate civic norms,” the official noted.
Despite repeated appeals from top leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, urging party workers not to erect illegal banners, civic authorities say violations continue. “Even after appeals from senior leaders, we have not seen much change on the ground. The drive will continue till there is visible compliance,” said another civic official.
During a recent visit to Pimpri Chinchwad, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar had publicly appealed to citizens not to support candidates who flout the law by putting up illegal banners.
Meanwhile, residents and activists have criticized the timing of the civic action. “Political banners flooded the streets during Diwali, and yet the authorities chose to act only after the festival ended. It shows a lack of commitment to maintaining city discipline,” said a resident of Pimpri.
Civic officials said the current drive will continue in the coming weeks with stricter enforcement measures and coordination with local police to ensure compliance before the election season gains momentum.
