Pune News: Illegal Hoardings On BRTS Shelters Exposed By RTI

A recent Right to Information (RTI) application has revealed a significant oversight involving illegal hoardings on Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) shelters in Pune. The inquiry, filed by social activist Qaneez Sukhrani on August 25, disclosed that the contract for these advertisements expired on April 24, with no official extension agreements in place. Despite this, the hoardings remain, violating regulatory norms and necessitating immediate removal.

According to Sukhrani, both the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) have prioritized revenue over public safety and proper urban management. The RTI findings indicate that 40 illegal hoardings are currently displayed at 10 bus shelters within the PMC and PCMC limits.

Regulatory Lapse Exposed

In response to the RTI, PMPML officials stated that a letter was sent last month regarding the extension of the hoarding contracts. They claimed the extension was granted as no advertisements were displayed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this letter lacks the formal documentation required to validate such an extension. As a result, these hoardings are still unlawfully occupying public space on bus shelters, undermining the integrity of public space regulations.

The RTI documents further expose that these bus shelters, built using public funds and located on public land, should not have been leased for commercial advertising. This practice of allowing advertisements on public structures is considered a form of sub-leasing, which is legally questionable and ethically concerning.

Abandoned Shelters and Poor Maintenance

Additionally, the RTI findings revealed that bus shelters removed by the PMC in December last year, specifically those at Ramwadi, Shastri Nagar, and Wadia Bungalow, continue to occupy valuable space along Nagar Road’s median. Despite the removal order, these structures remain, highlighting a lack of effective follow-up and cleanup by the authorities. This delay not only wastes urban space but also detracts from the corridor’s aesthetics and functionality.

The situation is further compounded by the fact that the PMPML had entered into a five-year contract with an advertising company on April 25, 2019, for placing advertisement boards on top of the bus shelters. This contract expired on April 24, yet the advertisements remain, continuing to violate legal norms.

Inappropriate Use and Lack of Maintenance

The RTI also brought to light the poor condition of many BRTS shelters. Rather than serving their intended purpose for public transport users, these shelters are often occupied by beggars and the homeless. The lack of maintenance and inappropriate use of these shelters reflect poorly on both the PMPML and the PMC, who have failed to uphold the infrastructure’s upkeep.

Calls for Accountability

Sukhrani, convenor of the Association of Nagar Road Citizens Forum, criticized the lack of transparency, saying, “The RTI response should have included the extension documents, but none were attached. Any modifications to the original registered document must be accompanied by a new registered document, as the extension cannot be valid without a new registered agreement.”

The revelations from this RTI underscore the need for more stringent regulatory oversight and accountability to ensure public spaces are used appropriately and maintained properly.