Pune Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dr Rajendra Bhosale has clarified that no discounts are available for advertisement fees related to the Dahi Handi festival.
Dr Bhosale reiterated that advertisements on welcome arches and running banners set up by Ganesh Mandals for the upcoming Ganesh festival will be exempt from charges. However, officials emphasized that such advertisements must not obstruct roads or pedestrian pathways.
To finance the Ganesh festival, Mandals typically procure numerous advertisements, erecting advertising arches in their vicinity. This practice has led to complaints from citizens regarding obstructions and congestion. In response, the municipal corporation convened a meeting to address these concerns.
During the meeting, the administration urged Mandals to display advertisements promoting municipal initiatives. In turn, Ganesh Mandal workers requested stipends for this effort. As financial assistance could not be provided, this request has been made optional.
A proposal to maintain advertising arches from the Dahi Handi festival through to the Ganesh Visarjan processions under a single permit was also discussed. Commissioner Bhosale dismissed this request, stating that advertising fee discounts apply exclusively to the Ganesh festival.
The Dahi Handi festival does not qualify for such discounts, and no written orders support this. Consequently, advertisement boards for the Dahi Handi festival must pay standard fees, and separate permits are required for each festival.
Officials stressed that advertisement boards must be installed without blocking pedestrian pathways or roads and should not cause traffic congestion. Each Mandal is permitted to erect arches up to 50 meters, with strict instructions to ensure citizen safety during installation.
