PCMC Removes 1,770 Illegal Hoardings, Collects ₹23.2 Lakh in Fines as Crackdown Intensifies
Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation dismantles 1,770 unauthorised hoardings and recovers ₹23.2 lakh in fines, stepping up action ahead of local elections.
Pune|05 December 2025: The civic authorities of Pimpri-Chinchwad have executed a major crackdown on unauthorised outdoor advertisements, removing a staggering 1,770 illegal hoardings, banners, posters, and kiosks over the past year. During the operation, fines totaling around ₹23.19 lakh were imposed on 111 individuals and business owners, while 17 repeat offenders were booked for flouting regulations. This large-scale clearance drive was carried out by the Sky Sign and Licensing Department across all eight regional offices of the municipal corporation.
Although the city already hosts about 1,679 authorised hoardings, public spaces have remained cluttered with unauthorised displays related to weddings, birthdays, political campaigns, and religious events. Many of these illegally erected hoardings lacked mandatory compliance features — such as QR codes and proper information plates — which recent directives have made compulsory under court orders. Any advertisement structure missing these identifiers is considered illegal and marked for immediate removal, civic officials have warned.
The timing of this intensified action appears tied to the upcoming civic elections, which have seen a surge in promotional activity by political aspirants. Officials noted that despite repeated warnings to political parties and elected representatives, illegal posters and flex boards continue to reappear, prompting the municipal authority to reinforce enforcement measures. Special squads undertook repeated inspection and removal drives throughout the period from October 14, 2024 to November 30, 2025.
Civic authorities have appealed to citizens, advertisers, businesses, organisations and political groups to refrain from erecting unlicensed advertisement structures. They emphasized that any hoarding installed without proper licence, or without the mandatory QR code and information plate, will face demolition and violators will be fined or booked. The deputy commissioner of the Sky Sign and Licensing Department highlighted that the crackdown will be unrelenting and that repeat offenders will face criminal consequences.
This crackdown not only aims to restore aesthetic order to public spaces, but also to address safety and traffic concerns. Unauthorized hoardings, especially those placed irresponsibly along roads and junctions, often obstruct visibility and contribute to traffic hazards. By removing these structures en masse, the civic body hopes to unclutter roads, improve traffic flow, and uphold regulatory norms.
The operation marks one of the largest recent enforcement efforts against illegal outdoor advertising in the Pimpri-Chinchwad region. As the municipal body continues its efforts, the coming months may see more fines, stricter enforcement of licensing norms, and possibly automated monitoring of advertisement structures. For citizens and advertisers alike, the message is clear: only properly licensed and compliant hoardings will be allowed — others risk removal and legal action.
