Pune Rural Unauthorized Hoardings Crisis: 1,370 Billboards Raise Safety Concerns

Pune, 21st May 2023: The proliferation of unauthorized hoardings in both urban and rural areas has become a growing concern, with a staggering number of 1,370 hoardings being identified as unauthorized in Pune rural areas. The gravity of the situation is further exacerbated by the revelation that 87 of these hoardings are deemed dangerous, posing a significant risk to public safety, as stated in a recent report by the district administration.

The issue of security surrounding these unauthorized billboards has been thrust into the spotlight, as massive hoardings weighing between 2 to 3 tons have been erected on buildings, as well as in open spaces facing important squares and roads. Tragically, not long ago, lives were lost due to the collapse of one such unauthorized hoarding during a storm. Despite this incident, both the administration and business owners seem oblivious to the risks involved.

The recently released report by the Pune district administration sheds light on the dire situation. Out of the total 1,440 hoardings in the district, a mere 27 have been authorized, specifically in the talukas of Ambegaon (1), Baramati (21), and Mulshi (5). Shockingly, all the remaining hoardings are unauthorized, with only 23 of them having undergone structural audits. Alarmingly, the structural integrity of 1,230 hoardings remains unassessed, leaving their safety in question. Among these unauthorized hoardings, a staggering 87 have been identified as hazardous and pose a significant risk of accidents.

The distribution of unauthorized hoardings across various talukas within the district is as follows:

Ambegaon: 26

Baramati: 177

Daund: 103

Junnar: 60

Velhe: 43

Haveli: 220

Maval: 176

Mulshi: 377

Purandar: 97

Shirur: 134