Pune: PCMC Warns Housing Societies Against Erecting Unauthorized Hoardings

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande

Pimpri Chinchwad, 1st June 2024: It has been observed that some housing societies in Pimpri Chinchwad have erected hoardings in their areas to generate income for regular expenses. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has warned that criminal cases will be filed against housing societies that erect unauthorized hoardings.

Expenses incurred for removing unauthorized hoardings will also be recovered. After the hoarding collapse in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, where 16 people died and more than 70 were injured, a hoarding also fell in Moshi. Although no one was killed in the Moshi incident, some vehicles were damaged. Last year, a hoarding fell in Kiwale under the PCMC, resulting in five deaths.

In this context, the PCMC initiated a survey related to hoarding licenses and structural audits. During the survey, 24 unauthorized hoardings were found, and 72 criminal cases were registered. Notices were sent to 341 owners of large hoardings because they had licenses for smaller-sized hoardings. According to the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (Regulation and Control of the Display of Sky-signs and Advertisement) Rules, 2022, it is necessary to obtain permission from the PCMC to erect hoardings on private land as well. All unauthorized hoardings have been removed by the Skysign and License Department of the PCMC to improve the city’s appearance.

However, some housing societies have been erecting hoardings on their lands and buildings to generate income for their regular expenses. According to the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (Regulation and Control of the Display of Sky-signs and Advertisement) Rules, 2022, no hoarding can be erected on buildings that do not have a Structural Stability Certificate, are pending court action, have been served a stop work notice, are illegal, or have been declared dangerous. If a Structural Strength Certificate is submitted from an Architectural Audit, Government or Municipal Structural Engineer, and a No Objection Certificate is obtained from the General Body of the Housing Society along with the permission application, hoardings will be allowed. A certified copy of the resolution duly passed by the general meeting of the organization must also be submitted.

PCMC’s Skysign and Licenses Department Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Khot said, “Housing societies that put up hoardings without permission will have cases filed against them. The cost of hoarding removal will also be recovered from the housing societies.”