Licenses of 7 hoarding holders canceled by PCMC

In an effort to preserve the environmental equilibrium within the city, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) undertakes extensive tree planting initiatives at various locations and ensures their proper nurturing.

With a commitment to enhancing the city’s aesthetic appeal and promoting cleanliness and greenery, the PCMC allocates funds for these endeavors in its annual budget. However, some individuals impede these crucial efforts by vandalizing trees planted by the PCMC, often through the installation of hoardings that obstruct tree growth.

To address this issue, the municipal administration, under the guidance of PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh, has taken decisive action by revoking the licenses of seven hoarding agencies. This measure aims to curb activities that hinder the city’s environmental initiatives and underscores the municipality’s dedication to fostering a green and sustainable urban environment.

“The number of incidents of illegally cutting of trees have become rampant, despite taking strict measures by imposing fines on such violators. There have been instances where the hoarding agencies have cut trees as the visibility to their hoardings was getting obstructed. Several such complaints have been received on the Sarathi portal as well as written,” said Pradeep Jambhale Patil, Additional Commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.

Ravikiran Ghodke, Deputy Commissioner, PCMC Garden Department, said “ PCMC has been issuing notices to the violators who have carried out illegal cutting of trees mainly, at the hoarding spots. The advertising agencies as well as the hoarding spot owners are facing action under the Maharashtra State Tree Protection and Conservation Act 1975. On many occasions, a police complaint has also been filed against the violators,” .”

Legal action will now be taken if trees are cut illegally

In this regard, Commissioner Shekhar Singh said that the holders of hoardings, advertisement boards should not cut or cut the trees in front of their boards in an unauthorized manner. If trees are felled without the permission of the Municipal Corporation, according to the Maharashtra Government’s Advertising Regulation and Control Rules, the license of the hoarding site owner will be canceled and legal action will be taken against the advertiser too.

Cases registered against 8 hoarding holders for cutting down trees

So far, cases have been registered against 8 hoarding holders on behalf of the police in connection with the unauthorized felling of trees. Also, correspondence has been made regarding filing a case with police stations in 9 jurisdictions regarding unauthorized felling of trees and some cases are being investigated. A fine of Rs 10,000 has been recovered till date.

Shreyas Vange