Maharashtra Government to Crack Down on Panchayats Granting Illegal Permissions for Hoardings

Mumbai, Maharashtra: The Maharashtra government has pledged to take action against gram panchayats for granting illegal permissions for the erection of giant hoardings. This comes after the tragic collapse of a hoarding in Ghatkopar in May, which claimed 17 lives and injured over 70 people.

In response, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) issued notices to hoarding owners in Navi Mumbai, directing them to remove unauthorised billboards. The collapse, attributed to heavy rains and winds, prompted a wider crackdown on illegal hoardings, with authorities intensifying their efforts across the state.

A government resolution (GR) issued on November 26 by the Rural Development Department warned all gram panchayats not to grant permissions for hoardings under the Gram Panchayat Act, 1959. It stressed that panchayats lack the authority to issue no-objection certificates for hoardings. The resolution mandates the immediate removal of unauthorised hoardings and threatened action against violators.

In court proceedings, advertising agencies and hoarding owners who had obtained permits from panchayats were denied relief when they challenged notices from planning authorities. The court allowed for the demolition of illegal hoardings if not voluntarily removed by owners.

Authorities are now under pressure to enforce the removal of illegal hoardings and ensure strict adherence to regulations.