Pune: The Alandi Municipal Council (AMC) has decided to make the pilgrim town hoarding-free ahead of the annual palkhi procession, which draws lakhs of devotees to Alandi every year.The exercise will be carried out in phases by removing unauthorised hoardings, advertisement boards and iron structures across the town.The decision was taken unanimously at a meeting of the municipal council, with members stating that the removal of illegal and unsafe hoardings was essential to ensure the safety of devotees during the annual pilgrimage, improve traffic movement and preserve the town’s religious and historical character.“During the palkhi procession, thousands of devotees walk through narrow roads. Removing large hoardings and iron structures will improve safety and reduce congestion,” said Swapnil Kamble, a resident of Alandi.Alandi, one of Maharashtra’s most important pilgrimage centres, witnesses a massive influx of devotees during the annual Ashadhi wari.“Alandi is a sacred town and its heritage character should be preserved. Illegal hoardings have increased over the years, and their removal is the need of the hour,” said another resident, Akash Diwate.“The unauthorised and unregulated hoardings, along with ageing iron structures erected for advertisements, have become a safety concern and adversely affected the town’s appearance. So, we have decided to make the town hoarding-free in the coming days,” Madhav Khandekar, chief officer of the AMC, told TOI.According to the resolution passed by the civic body, the administration will conduct a detailed survey of all unauthorised hoardings, advertisement boards and iron structures within the municipal limits. Notices will then be issued to the owners of illegal hoardings, directing them to remove the structures at their own cost within a stipulated period.The council has also resolved that if the unauthorised structures are not removed within the prescribed deadline, the municipal administration will initiate action under the provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Councils Act, 1965, and other applicable rules. The civic body will remove the structures and recover the cost from their owners.In another key decision, the municipal council has resolved not to renew licences for expired iron hoarding structures and will issue notices for their immediate removal. It has also prohibited the erection of any new hoardings, advertisement boards or iron structures without prior approval from the municipal council and other competent authorities.“We will formulate a separate policy to permit advertisements at select locations in a manner that does not affect Alandi’s religious, historical and cultural identity,” said Khandekar.“The decision will improve the town’s appearance and make movement easier for both pilgrims and residents. At the same time, the AMC should ensure that such illegal hoardings do not come up again. These resolutions should not remain only on paper,” said another resident, Somnath Gaikwad.
