Pune: PCMC lodges FIR against 24 illegal hoarding owners, landowners, and advertisers

In a significant crackdown against unauthorized hoardings, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has lodged FIRs against all 24 illegal hoarding owners, landowners and advertisers identified in a recent survey. The FIR has been lodged under the IPC 1860, section 336, Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995 section 3, and Municipal Act, 1888 under sections 244 and 245 at Pimpri Police station.

The PCMC’s stringent measures come after a thorough survey conducted between May 15 and 20, pinpointing illegal hoardings in the civic limits. The civic body has removed 9 illegal hoardings so far, while the hoarding owners have removed 11 structures.

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh on the corporation’s no-tolerance stance on illegal hoardings said, “We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to illegal hoardings. FIRs have been lodged against all identified hoarding owners, and we will remove every unauthorized structure identified. We are implementing a new structural audit format that clarifies instructions and assigns responsibility, ensuring hoarding owners cannot evade accountability. The regular surveys and action against them will be a continuous process and not a one-time gimmick.”

Joint Commissioner Chandrakant Indalkar said, “The removal of illegal hoardings and lodging of FIRs marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to uphold civic order and safety. Our teams worked diligently to dismantle these structures, and we will continue our efforts to monitor and regulate hoardings across the city.”

Meanwhile, in addition to targeting illegal hoardings, the PCMC has identified 341 hoardings that exceed the permitted size limits as per their licenses. Deputy commissioner, Sandip Khot said that these hoarding owners will be given notices to rectify their sizes or to face the demolition.

Earlier last week, PCMC had filed an FIR against two individuals at the MIDC Bhosari police station, following the collapse of a hoarding in Moshi on May 16.

PCMC urges advertisers and landowners to ensure safety and compliance

The PCMC has called on advertisers and landowners to adhere to regulations to prevent hazards and ensure public safety. The civic body stresses that the advertisers and

landowners should ensure the hoarding owners have obtained proper permissions from the Sky Sign and License Department before erecting hoardings on iron structures on their properties. Non-compliance or any rule violations will result in legal action against the responsible hoarding owners, landowners, and advertisers. The PCMC emphasizes the importance of these measures to avoid potential loss of life or financial damage.