Pune: The civic body on Sept 5 and 6 removed as many as 822 unauthorised banners and posters installed across civic areas for recently held festivals, including Dahi Handi and Eid-e-Milad. However, according to civic data, no offence was registered against any mandal.Citizens have demanded stricter action, including registration of offences, similar to the action taken against those violating norms on DJs and loudspeakers.“Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has cross-verified the legality of these materials and has taken action accordingly. The administration has acted only to remove them,” said Sandip Kadam, head of the PMC’s sky sign department.Municipal teams held a two-day drive across 15 ward offices.Vishrambaugwada recorded the highest number of removals at 154, followed by Shivajinagar-Ghole Road with 75, Kothrud-Bavdhan with 74, Dhole Patil Road with 72 and Warje-Karvenagar with 70. Aundh-Baner recorded 53 removals, while Dhankawadi-Katraj-Ambegaon, Hadapsar-Manjari and Sinhagad Road recorded 50 each. Yerawada-Kalas-Dhanori saw 48 removals, followed by Bibvewadi with 35, Kondhwa-Yewalewadi with 31, Wanawadi-Ramtekdi with 29 and Nagar Road-Wadgaon Sheri with 16. Kasba-Bhavani Peth recorded no removals.By category, the action included the removal of 496 boards, banners and flexes, 111 posters, 81 flags, 72 kiosks, 55 sheds and four other structures. No hoardings were removed, and no offences were registered.According to PMC officials, the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act, 1995, provides for punitive action against individuals or entities responsible for defacing public property and spaces. The provisions are also used to take legal action against the unauthorised installation of overhead cables, banners and posters.These unauthorised banners, apart from being a visual nuisance, can pose safety risks. Broken or improperly installed banners and hoardings can cause accidents, injuries and even fatalities. PMC officials said those responsible could face prosecution for criminal negligence.Anyone found guilty of defacement, including the unauthorised installation of cables, posters or banners, can face imprisonment of up to three months, a fine of up to Rs 2,000, or both, according to PMC officials.“The administration should take serious action, such as registering an offence. It will act as a deterrent; otherwise, fines will not create any impact on those who are defacing civic areas,” said Gauri Kulkarni, a Kothrud resident.Ranjeet Raj, owner of a cafe in Vimannagar, said a roughly 40-foot-wide billboard is erected at Ganapati Chowk on various occasions, blocking the visibility of his cafe and affecting sales despite his continuing to pay high rent.Anita Hanumante, founder of Viman Nagar Vikas Sanstha (VNVS), said the issue was not about any particular party or celebration, but about whether civic rules were being applied equally.“VNVS had sought a ‘flex-free Viman Nagar’ and the right to walk on footpaths, and we stand by that. Residents are told they cannot remove unauthorised flexes themselves, while authorities often allow such banners to remain through an event and remove them only the next day. Political workers should also follow civic rules, and political influence must not mean exemption from them,” she said.Shruti Pujari, a Ganapati stall owner in Vimannagar, said, “I put up a very small directional board for my Ganapati shop in Vimannagar, but it was removed within a day. Yet huge political boards and flex for Janmashtami were allowed across Vimannagar without the legally approved system. How is this fair when taxpayers cannot put up even a small board while political leaders are allowed to flout the rules?”Vimannagar resident Surendra Desai said, “The Dahi Handi posters appeared well in advance and were plastered across the area in large numbers. The event is over, yet many of these posters are still hanging.”Another resident, Sanjay Deshpande, said banners damage roads when supports are installed and often block footpaths, forcing pedestrians onto the roads.“I have even seen children emerge from behind such banners onto the road and nearly get hit by vehicles,” he said.
