Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has published a list of 380 locations within the city that will now be designated for the display of temporary advertisements, such as banners, boards, posters, and flags.
These permissions will be granted through regional offices, marking the implementation of a state government order issued in 2022. This step has been taken to curb the rising issue of unauthorized and rampant advertisements, which have marred the city’s aesthetic appeal.
The PMC's Sky Sign and License department has issued a public advisory, urging individuals and organizations to secure proper permissions through regional offices before placing advertisements.
In a stern warning, the administration emphasized that any unauthorized advertising outside these pre-approved spots will result in legal action under the Maharashtra Property Defacement Act, 1995.
While the list of designated spots has been made public, there remain significant gaps in the information provided by the PMC. The administration has not clarified the dimensions of the advertisements or the fees that would apply for each location.
According to insiders, the department responsible for overseeing this process lacks clear directives, which has led to some hesitation among officials when questioned by the media.
For years, political leaders, local activists, and organizers of various events have been putting up large banners, flex posters, and flags across public spaces in Pune without seeking the required permissions. This practice has contributed to the visual pollution of the city.
To tackle this problem, the PMC has identified 380 specific spots where temporary advertisements will be allowed with official permission. The complete list of these locations has been made available on the Pune Municipal Corporation's website for public access.
