Unauthorized Billboard Removal Leaves Hazardous Iron Skeletons Endangering Pune Commuters

Dnyanada Sagare

23 May 2024 – Pune Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosle has ordered a structural audit of 165 billboards in Pune, deeming them unsuitable. Although advertisements have been taken down, the remaining iron structures continue to pose a significant threat to residents.

Over the past eight days, efforts have been made to address unauthorized billboards, resulting in the removal of 54 structures. However, billboard owners are now employing a new tactic to evade action: they are simply removing the advertisements while leaving the dangerous frameworks intact. Deputy Commissioner of the Encroachment Department, Madhav Jagtap, confirmed that a thorough check of all billboards in the city will be conducted, and action will be taken against those that are unauthorized and hazardous.

In response to a recent incident in Ghatkopar, the Municipal Corporation has enforced stringent measures over the past week. This has led to the removal of 2,598 official and 1,564 unauthorized billboards. Commissioner Bhosle has since ordered a re-examination of all billboards, emphasizing the need to address those that pose a risk.

In areas such as Nagar Road and Hadapsar, billboard owners have preemptively removed advertisements to dodge municipal action, a move influenced by the Mumbai disaster and ongoing contractor activities. Despite the administration’s vigilance, contractors persist in leaving behind dangerous debris. The advertisements are being temporarily removed in hopes that enforcement will wane.

Deputy Commissioner Jagtap reiterated that the structural audit has identified the billboards as dangerous. He assured that decisive action will be taken against any unauthorized and hazardous structures, emphasizing that the administration will not be intimidated in this matter.