Pune's civic body okays new ad licence policy to curb illegal hoardings

The general body (GB) of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Friday approved the new signboard licencing policy, which will authorise private contractors to put up hoardings in certain areas of the city and make them responsible for preventing unauthorised billboards.

Ramesh Shelar, head of the encroachment department at the PMC, told the house that important roads in the city have been divided in different sections. The number of permissible advertisements on these roads in the form of hoardings and other advertisements would be decided by the PMC, along with their market value and fees.

Shelar said that tenders would be invited to give rights on hoardings on various roads. A private company would be given three-year ad rights on hoardings. It would be responsible for ensuring that no unauthorised hoardings are displayed in the areas concerned.  He also said that the new policy will help prevent unauthorised hoardings and make the city more beautiful.

The PMC earns about Rs10 crore through license fee on hoardings. Due to the new policy, the income would increase to Rs45 crore. Shelar said there are 2,100 authorised hoardings in the city and the administration would take action on such hoardings from Monday.

Members of political parties severely criticised the administration before approving the policy. Independent corporator Ujwal Keskar said the policy is ambiguous.