Pune Shuts Down Illegal Hoardings with New Firm Measures

Mrudula Narale
In a move aimed at bolstering public safety, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated a vigorous campaign to remove illegal hoardings in the city. The move, in response to repeated accidents precipitated by unauthorized and structurally unsound hoardings, is seeking to enforce compliance and hold violators accountable. The PMC has given one week’s time for the dismantling of such hoardings with severe repercussions for non-adherence.

Pune has witnessed an explosion of hoardings in the last few years, most of them set up without valid permits and structural inspections. Such unregulated hoardings have caused accidents, some of them fatal, revealing the dangers they pose to public safety. The absence of uniform enforcement has provided a free hand to illegal hoardings, usually enjoying political patronage and monetary rewards that skirt regulatory checks. Even with court directives calling for action, the PMC has been faulted for its hit-or-miss strategy in addressing this matter, and renewed efforts at accountability and security have been emphasized.

In a bid to solve the issue, the PMC has set up a centralized committee that will vet the permits and records of all hoardings. The committee will thoroughly inspect the hoardings in a bid to determine violations and certify that illegal structures are brought down with speed. Ward officers have been instructed to come up with detailed reports on illegal hoardings in their areas of jurisdiction within the one-week time frame provided. Non-compliance will lead to disciplinary action being taken against the officers involved, indicating a zero-tolerance policy.

The project also covers dangerous buildings and infrastructure. The PMC has ordered yearly audits of unsafe structures and flyovers to avoid accidents and maintain public safety. Out of the 38 flyovers audited so far, the necessary repairs were carried out, and the rest are scheduled for checking and maintenance. Owners of unsafe buildings have been ordered to dismantle or repair them, or the PMC will step in to clear the hazards.

This holistic policy is a demonstration of the administration’s intent to deal with age-old safety issues in Pune. Hoardings, which are illegally put up in defiance of regulations, have been a recurring problem, whose structural soundness never gets checked until a mishap takes place. The new policy seeks to break this cycle of complacency by exercising stringent monitoring and making all hoardings safe.

The drive will ensure that Pune’s cityscape returns to order, minimizing the threat of unregulated buildings. Through holding ward officers responsible and creating a special committee, the PMC is acting proactively to protect citizens. The move also highlights the need for community collaboration to report illegal hoardings and dangerous buildings in order to complement enforcement activities. As the one-week mark draws near, the city waits to see concrete advancement in this important initiative to boost safety and adherence in public spaces in Pune.

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