The Indian Express 15.03.2013
PMC pulls down 6,573 illegal hoardings, banners, posters
Plans to write to people asking them to restrict use of their property for illegal placards, failing which action will be taken against them.
With the Bombay High Court directing all civic bodies to remove illegal hoardings and banners of advertisements in their respective jurisdiction within 24 hours, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) claimed to have pulled down 6,573 placards on Thursday. The civic body said it was not possible to remove all illegal placards in a day.
"The PMC has been initiating action against illegal placards but the action was intensified today after the directions of the high court. The action resulted in removing 6,573 placards in a day," said Additional Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Jagtap.
The civic administration claimed to have removed 131 hoardings, 918 boards, 2,785 banners, 1,179 flexes, 85 flags, 1,220 posters and 255 kiosks. "The civic action against the illegal placards would continue as they still exist in city area. It is practically impossible to remove them within a day due to shortage of manpower for the purpose," said Jagtap.
He said the civic body could not initiate action against hoardings that had got stay from court on civic action. The PMC had given permission to 2,122 hoardings till March 2011 and later owners of 1,632 hoardings got a stay from court on civic action.
The PMC has urged the hoarding owners to renew the licence by following the norms mentioned in the draft hoarding policy.
Meanwhile, to ensure that the hoardings or placards on private property don't come up again, the civic body has decided to write letters to people to restrict use of their property for illegal placards, failing which action would be taken against them.
The PMC had drafted the hoarding policy a few years ago but it was pending with the state government for a final nod. The corporation decided to implement the policy by inviting tenders for the purpose, but the hoarding owners challenged it in the HC. It was revealed that PMC's revenue was to increase by at least 10 folds if the new hoarding policy was implemented. The policy mainly puts a check on haphazardly erected hoardings that spoil the skyline and also create nuisance to commuters.
During Thursday's drive against illegal hoardings, two untoward incidents were reported. In one of them, a case has been registered at the Deccan police station. Police said one Balasaheb Ganjawe, who had put up a hoarding in the area, got into an argument with the PMC officials. Deccan police said a complaint was registered by Rajdip Dusia of PMC. Ganjawe has been booked under Section 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of the Indian Penal Code.
In another incident, a fire brigade employee, Shri Sundar, was injured at the RTO square when part of the demolished hoarding fell on his leg. Police said Shri Sundar had gone there with a team to control grass fire. Police said the injuries were minor in nature and the fireman was out of danger.
