Safety At Risk: Illegal Hoarding Reinstalled In Pune Despite Removal; Civic Body’s Inaction Raises Questions
Pune, 4th March 2025: In a shocking development, a massive iron structure weighing over a ton has been reinstalled at the same spot where the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had previously removed an illegal hoarding from the riverbed. Despite past incidents of hoardings collapsing and claiming lives in Maharashtra, civic officials have turned a blind eye to the issue. Moreover, although the police received a complaint against a hoarding operator for allegedly intimidating municipal employees, no formal case has been registered yet.
Earlier this year, following an order from the High Court, the PMC demolished three massive illegal hoardings erected near the Tilak Chowk area, behind the Sambhaji Police Station. Investigations revealed multiple violations, including improper permissions, unauthorized tree cutting, demolition of boundary walls, and misrepresentation of government-owned land as private property. As a result, three municipal employees were suspended.
Despite these actions, a new hoarding structure has been installed at the same location using nuts and bolts. If it collapses, it poses a direct threat to the nearby police station. While civic officials acknowledge that such hoardings are not permitted, they have yet to take concrete action.
According to reports, the hoarding operator allegedly forced municipal employees to leave the site, preventing them from taking action. A complaint was filed at the Deccan Police Station for obstruction of government work, but no FIR has been registered yet.
Official records confirm that the previous hoarding was demolished because it was illegal. Additionally, all required permissions, including a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the traffic department and property owner’s consent, have now expired. Despite this, the hoarding has been reinstalled, raising concerns over the authorities’ inaction and possible complicity.
Commenting on the issue, PMC Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale stated, “Hoardings cannot be installed in a dangerous manner. Action will be taken at the site.”
However, with both civic officials and police delaying any decisive action, the illegal hoarding remains a looming risk. The lack of strict enforcement has sparked criticism from citizens, who question whether the authorities are deliberately ignoring the issue.
