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Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Residents want civic bodies to act against illegal hoardings
Pune: The action against illegal hoardings by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) started around a year ago with full swing, but has now died down. Citizens and commuters want the authorities to restart the drive ahead of the rains, as hoardings may lead to major mishaps. On Thursday, a hoarding collapsed near Pirangut and damaged many vehicles. "The municipal authorities must ensure proper placement and size regulations for advertisement boards. These boards should maintain adequate clearance from walkways and roads. Regular inspections will verify compliance with safety guidelines. Illuminated displays must follow brightness standards to avoid distracting drivers," said Samir Paranjape of Wadgaon. "Height restrictions should be enforced near residential areas. Materials used in these hoardings should be weather-resistant and eco-friendly. Sturdy mounting mechanisms are essential to prevent accidents during adverse weather," said Balasaheb Balgude, a resident of Bhavani Peth. Civic officials said the administration has termed the hoardings illegal if set up without permissions. Even if the hoardings have permissions, but the structural audit was not carried out, it is considered illegal. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ative a Licença do Antivírus Agora Clique aqui Undo The guidelines in Maharashtra Municipal Corporations (Regulation and Control of the Display of Sky-signs and Advertisement) Rules, 2022, state that any hoarding shall be allowed to be erected on a building if it is examined from the angle of structural stability and a certificate of is produced from the govt or corporation licensed structural engineer. Qaneez Sukhrani, a citizen's activist, said the administration must also focus on the other advertising materials like banners and flexes. "The materials are totally illegal. They are defacing the civic areas. The administration must remove them immediately," she said. Recently, action was taken only in Aundh areas. The administration identified nearly 434 hoardings that may pose a threat of an accident last year. A survey over the last couple of years found 2,598 illegal structures in the city. PMC claims it already took action against the majority of them. "The administration recently carried out a meeting with the advertising agencies and officials of all ward offices. The survey of the hoardings in different parts of the city has already started. The outdoor advertising materials without proper stability and structural audits will be razed down," said Prashant Thombare, head of PMC's sky sign department. Civic officials said the maximum validity for new advertisement boards is three years. Every authorised advertisement board must have a unique identification number and a QR code. Advertisers must obtain a structural stability certificate from a municipal corporation-licensed structural engineer. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) directed all owners of legal hoardings in the city to take down their advertisements between May 25 and June 10 as a precautionary measure to prevent accidents during the pre-monsoon period. Rajesh Agale, deputy municipal commissioner and head of the Sky Sign Department, said there are a total of 1,413 registered hoarding structures across Pimpri Chinchwad. "The officials from the Sky Sign Department continue to take action against the illegal hoardings whenever found; hence, currently, there are no illegal hoardings in the city," he said. Agale further added that the civic body also initiated action against the illegal arches in the city. "Two such illegal arches were removed from the Charholi area, and a fine of Rs 70,000 was imposed against the violators," he said. Tanay Patekar, a volunteer of Angholichi Goli (Bath Pill), said, "Many of the hoarding structures in the city do not have a licence displayed on the structures; hence, it is difficult to identify whether they are legal. " GFX ACTION DIES DOWN A survey over the last couple of years found 2,598 illegal structures in Pune. PMC claims it already took action against the majority of them The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) directs legal hoardings owners to take down advertisements between May 25 and June 10 as a precautionary measure Quotes: The municipal authorities must ensure proper placement and size regulations for advertisement boards. These boards should maintain adequate clearance from walkways and roads. Regular inspections will verify compliance with safety guidelines. Illuminated displays must follow brightness standards to avoid distracting drivers Samir Paranjape | Resident of Wadgaon The administration recently carried out a meeting with the advertising agencies and officials of all ward offices. The survey of the hoardings in different parts of the city has already started. The outdoor advertising materials without proper stability and structural audits will be razed down Prashant Thombare | head of PMC's sky sign department
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
PMC approves 65 crore funds for road repairs ahead of monsoon
Pune: The civic body has cleared funds of around Rs65 crore for road repairs and restorations ahead of the rainy season, which officials said are likely to gather pace now. The civic estimates committee on Monday approved the funds to ensure that these pre-monsoon repair works are completed by May 31. However, residents and activists highlighted that the road repairs should not be rushed and should be of good quality to survive the rains. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had last week claimed that it plans to provide pothole-free roads to commuters by carrying out micro-surfacing works on various stretches. According to PMC officials, a survey was conducted through the Road Asset Management System (RAMS) to study treatments needed on various roads before the monsoon. Based on this, roads covering approximately 50km were identified for preventive maintenance using low-cost treatments. Overall, the civic body plans to spend Rs15 crore on this project alone. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Seniors Born 1941-1979 Receive 55 Benefits This Month if They Ask WalletJump Learn More Undo Vijay Kumbhar of citizens' group Surajya Sangharsha Samiti cautioned, "The civic administration issues tenders for pre-monsoon works and they get approved at very low rates. Poor quality materials are used for repairs of roads and other pre-monsoon works. This affects the overall quality of the road, which leads to potholes." Many city residents said PMC must ensure good quality roads that last beyond the monsoon and remain in good condition all year round. Sinhagad Road resident Samir Paranjape told TOI, "Taxpayers' money is used to build the roads and for their repairs. But we don't get good roads in return. It is nothing but wastage of public funds." Further, civic officials have revealed that post-monsoon several roads will be dug up under PMC limits. This is because works like laying cables for a CCTV network for the police department and a data-sharing network for govt authorities are scheduled. Nearly Rs600 crore of taxpayers' money will be spent on these digging and restoration works.
