Pune: A civic group, in a letter to the Pune municipal corporation has sought the immediate removal of illegal flex banners and posters put up across the city during Ganeshotsav. Besides defacing public spaces, these advertising materials are also causing traffic snarls, it said.“Some of these materials put up near traffic signals, several of them set up rather precariously, are creating a major nuisance for commuters,” said Sandip Khardekar, president of Creative Foundation, the local civic organisation.The group highlighted that road-blocking pandals, procession floats—including tractors, trolleys and carts—, welcome arches and greeting stages remain on streets for days after the festival. They have urged authorities to clear all city roads within 48 hours.Many residents have also insisted that elected representatives address waste management, rampant noise pollution and other civic disruptions caused by the prolonged immersion processions.“The responsibility for the actions of these Ganapati mandals should rest with the local MPs and MLAs. If people refuse to listen to you while you serve as the elected representative, it clearly means you carry no authority over them. The elected representatives must be held accountable for all of this,” said Shyamala Desai, a resident.Meanwhile, PMC officials said the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act, 1995, empowers authorities to take punitive action against individuals or entities defacing public property. “Under these statutory provisions, legal action is actively being initiated against those responsible for installing illegal promotional materials,” said a senior PMC official.
