Pune: NIBM Annexe Activist Jaymala Dhankikar Urges CM To Order Safety Audits Of Hoardings
Pune: NIBM Annexe Activist Jaymala Dhankikar Urges CM To Order Safety Audits Of Hoardings
Pune, November 3, 2025: BJP member and social activist Jaymala Dhankikar has written to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) of Maharashtra, urging immediate intervention to conduct structural safety audits of all hoardings in Pune’s NIBM Annexe area. Highlighting the growing threat from illegal and poorly maintained billboards, Dhankikar has requested that the Pune Police and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) jointly inspect all hoardings and ensure strict enforcement before the upcoming monsoon.
In her letter, Dhankikar referred to a series of hoarding collapses in Pune, Mumbai, and Nashik that resulted in injuries and fatalities. “Despite repeated incidents, many hoardings in NIBM Annexe remain unchecked and structurally weak. The negligence of both authorities and hoarding owners is endangering public safety,” she wrote.
She reminded officials that the Maharashtra Police Act, BPMC Act, and Disaster Management Act provide the legal authority to act against unsafe structures. Citing Section 34(1)(x) of the Maharashtra Police Act, she said police can remove any obstruction posing a risk to public safety, while Section 328 of the BPMC Act prohibits the erection of structures without municipal approval.
Dhankikar cited past tragedies, including the May 2025 Kalyani Nagar hoarding collapse, which injured several pedestrians, and the 2024 Ghatkopar incident, where 14 people lost their lives. “These are not isolated events but signs of a recurring safety failure,” she wrote.
This flex right next to the MSEB tranformer is extremely dangerous since sparks from the tranformer can cause a major fire breakout. @PMCPune please take immediate action @JDhankikar @KausarBaugTimes @NIBMFORUM @SameerPunjabi12 @NIBMFORUM @AjitPawarSpeaks @PuneDcn @pulse_pune pic.twitter.com/Ti1wPqDT2i
— Sameer (@sameeriqbaal) November 3, 2025
She urged Pune Police to issue notices to hoarding owners in NIBM Annexe, directing them to submit structural audit reports certified by engineers within 15 days. She also called on the PMC to cancel licenses for non-compliant hoardings and launch a joint safety drive with the disaster management department.
@navalMH @CMOMaharashtra , @CPPuneCity @DGPMaharashtra
— Jaymala Dhankikar (@JDhankikar) November 3, 2025
*I have written to you repeatedly regarding this, instructions have also been received from the CMO and DGP to the PMC and CP, but no action has been taken*. https://t.co/91KGLQ2gx1
Dhankikar noted that areas such as Mohammedwadi Road and Kondhwa face high vehicular and pedestrian movement, making oversized and unstable hoardings a serious hazard. Referring to recent collapses near Wagholi and Dhanori, she alleged criminal negligence and demanded FIRs against responsible officials and owners.
Concluding her letter, Dhankikar appealed to the Chief Minister to treat the matter as urgent and ensure swift government action to prevent another tragedy before the monsoon.
