Pune: 1,300 Authorized Hoardings in Pimpri Chinchwad Under Scrutiny Amid Safety Concerns

Pimpri, 28th November 2024: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) Sky Sign and Licensing Department has issued a stern warning to hoarding owners flouting regulations in the city. The department has cautioned that in case of accidents, the concerned hoarding owners and advertising organizations will be held accountable.

This move comes after a tragic incident on April 17, 2023, in Kiwale, where an unauthorized hoarding collapse claimed the lives of five laborers. Following the accident, PCMC demolished 174 unauthorized hoardings in the city. Currently, the Sky Sign and Licensing Department estimates there are approximately 1,300 authorized hoardings across Pimpri-Chinchwad.

PCMC had twice drafted an outdoor advertising policy over the last five years. However, after the state government issued a new notification on May 9, 2022, the previous policy was canceled. Despite these efforts, the department has observed repeated rule violations by hoarding owners.

Following the Kiwale incident, the administration ramped up enforcement of hoarding regulations. Nevertheless, concerns about safety persist as rule violations by hoarding owners continue. The department has received 40 new applications for hoarding permissions. However, approvals were delayed due to the assembly election code of conduct. With the code of conduct now lifted, the department will begin processing these applications in compliance with established guidelines.

Deputy Commissioner of the Sky Sign and Licensing Department, Dr. Pradeep Thengal, emphasized the importance of adhering to safety regulations to prevent accidents. “Hoarding owners must follow the rules to ensure public safety. If an accident occurs due to non-compliance, the responsible hoarding owner and the associated advertising organization will face strict action as per the rules,” Dr. Thengal stated.