Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has taken strict action against organizations and establishments for erecting hoardings, banners, and posters illegally across Nagpur city. As a result of a three-day intense drive launched by the NMC’s Advertisement Department, FIRs have been registered against 10 organizations, and show-cause notices have been issued to over 309 establishments, mainly coaching institutes and others.
The drive targeted the rampant problem of illegal hoardings that were erected on electric poles, roadside corners, and other unauthorized locations throughout Nagpur city. The NMC’s Advertisement Department removed more than 500 hoardings and banners during the operation. Additionally, a fine of Rs 29,000 was collected from individuals involved in defacing the city by illegally putting up hoardings.
This action was taken due to the gross violation of the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court’s directives, which empower both the NMC and the city police to address such cases. However, sources within the NMC indicate that the city police have not been cooperative in filing FIRs against unauthorized hoardings and banners, allowing the problem to persist.
Following the failure of Assistant Municipal Commissioners from all 10 zonal offices to effectively curb this issue, Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B instructed the Advertisement Department to launch a surprise drive against illegal hoardings. Subsequently, 10 zonal teams were formed, which carried out inspections in bylanes, major thoroughfares, and market areas.
The highest number of illegal hoardings was found in the Gandhibagh Zone, where the team removed 101 hoardings and issued notices to 46 institutions for their involvement. Dharampeth Zone, housing several posh localities, was also dotted with 87 illegal hoardings and banners. After their removal, the department issued show-cause notices to 27 establishments for their unauthorized advertisements.
In the Dhantoli Zone, 77 hoardings were removed during the drive, and notices were subsequently issued to 55 organizations. One FIR was also registered in this zone. Furthermore, under the Ashi Nagar Zone, eight establishments were found to have erected illegal hoardings, leading to police complaints being filed against six of them.
The NMC’s crackdown on illegal hoardings aims to restore the aesthetic appeal of Nagpur city and ensure compliance with the directives set by the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court. Continued efforts are expected to be undertaken to address this issue collaboratively with the city police, in order to effectively curb the unauthorized display of hoardings and maintain the city’s visual cleanliness and orderliness.
