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Viacom18, the official broadcast and digital partner for Paris 2024, announced the biggest and most immersive Olympics presentation yet in India, with 20 concurrent feeds and a roster of Olympians, starting July 26, 2024, across the Sports18 Network and for free on JioCinema. The network has lined-up a list of former champions across multiple sporting disciplines to amplify the most comprehensive Olympics presentation ever. It also, launched its campaign film ‘Dum Laga Ke… Haisha’, promising an Olympics like never seen before.

For the first time, Olympics coverage in India will be presented across 20 concurrent feeds on JioCinema for free, allowing fans to catch their preferred action and Indian performances at the Olympic Games anytime, anywhere on their preferred device. The presentation will have 17 sports-wise feeds and three curated feeds, all available in 4K. The curated feeds will include an India feed in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, which allows viewers to catch all the action from the Indian contingent as it unfolds on-ground.

A Women Athletes feed will exclusively capture the journey of women Olympians for the entire edition. The curated feeds will also feature a Global Action feed in English and Hindi, thus allowing viewers to track the finest athletes in the world in action at Paris 2024.

On linear platforms, Sports18 – 1, Sports18 – 1 HD, Sports18 – 2 will run India focused feed, Global Action will be available on Sports18 – 3. Sports18 – 1 and Sports18 – 1 HD will present the Games in English with Tamil and Telugu available on language button. Sports18 – 2 will offer the Paris 2024 in Hindi.

The coverage tips off with a dedicated camera feed on the India float throughout the Opening Ceremony giving viewers a ring-side view of the Indian contingent. In addition, viewers will be able to enjoy coverage of Indian medal moments with live interviews with their family members alongside a domain expert from the studio.

“Our presentation of Paris 2024 is built on the idea of putting viewers front and centre as our athletes aim for glory. For the first time in India, an Olympics presentation will have a dedicated Indian feed, a women athletes feed, and a global action feed, giving fans high autonomy with a lean-in experience as they follow the Games,” said Viacom18 – Sports Head of Content Siddharth Sharma. “We strive to capture the inspiring journeys of Indian athletes and rally the country to back our heroes through our never-seen-before Olympic experience.”

India’s first female wrestling Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik (2016 Summer Olympics) will be joined by Beijing 2008 bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh. Four-time Olympian and six-time Grand Slam winner and the first Indian woman to be ranked number one in the WTA rankings, Sania Mirza will be joined by Commonwealth and Asian Games gold medallist, Somdev Devvarman. World No. 7 long jumper and Commonwealth Games medallist, Murali Sreeshankar will be seen in a whole new avatar as Viacom18’s expert during the Olympics.

The studio line-up will also feature former Indian Men’s Hockey Team Captain Viren Rasquinha, Commonwealth Games gold medallist shuttler Parupalli Kashyap, multiple Asian Games medallist and World Doubles Championship gold medallist squash icon Saurav Ghosal, and India’s two-time Olympic archer Atanu Das will add gravitas to Viacom18’s line-up.

In the lead up, Viacom18, the official broadcast and digital partner for Paris 2024, also launched “Dum Laga Ke…Haisha!”, its campaign film for the Olympic Games. The campaign film builds on the philosophy of Olympics unlike anything seen before, breaking away from the conventional advertising template employed by past global sporting events for the Indian market such as tropes of serious looking athletes training to motivational voiceovers. It takes a fresh approach instead, by intertwining the magnitude of the Olympics as a global movement and its impact on our daily Indian lives.

“We wanted to keep the campaign idea rooted in the transformative power of viewing sports.  The film is our ode to the Olympic spirit and imagines a world where watching the Olympics vicariously, inspires us to push ourselves like runners, boxers, gymnasts, archers and weightlifters in our quotidian lives. We married this idea with a re-imagination of the timeless chant ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha! that’s deeply ingrained in the Indian spirit of movement and sports, into multiple regional languages to ignite excitement for the Olympics across the country,” said JioCinema’s Head of Brand and Creative Marketing, Shagun Seda. “To bring our concept to life, we partnered with Jugaad Motion Pictures who brought in a fresh approach and elevated the concept to a rich audio-visual experience.”

Viacom18’s comprehensive coverage of Paris 2024 includes content around must-watch events for India fans, Indians to watch out for at the Olympics, greatest performances in Olympics history, unprecedented landmarks Indians can achieve at Paris 2024, and much more.
 


JioCinema to showcase the most comprehensive Olympics coverage ever for Paris 2024

As per the latest ComScore data, News18 Hindi has secured its position as the number one digital news platform for Hindi language in April 2024, beating other Hindi platforms like Navbharat Times, Aaj Tak, and NDTV.


At a whopping 57.7 million Unique Visitors (UVs), News18 Hindi grabbed the top spot, whereas other news platforms such as Navbharat Times was at 56.73 million UVs, followed by Aaj Tak at 56.48 million UVs and NDTV at 54.58 million UVs.


To highlight the platform’s power-packed performance, an ad campaign has been launched across print and digital media. As part of this campaign, a front-page advertisement was issued in The Economic Times on May 27, underscoring News18 Hindi’s leadership.


News18 Hindi's remarkable accomplishment can be attributed to its comprehensive coverage during the election season. The platform reached audiences across the nation with its in-depth coverage of important election-related topics from a variety of viewpoints.


Commenting on the remarkable performance, Mitul Sangani, CEO – Indian Languages, News18 Network said, “We owe our position as the leading Hindi news platform to our dedicated viewers, who made us their first choice during this crucial election season. Our viewers’ trust drives us to persistently enhance our coverage and deliver news that not only informs but also empowers. News18 Hindi’s extensive coverage of Lok Sabha elections with a commitment to accurate information, in-depth analysis and product enhancement strengthened our performance and we are confident that the numbers will continue to grow as we enter the counting phase of elections."


News18 Network is an undisputed leader in terms of viewership both on TV and digital platforms. With undivided attention of viewers in every segment, the group has emerged as the go-to source for news. 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/firstpost-outshines-bbc-news-al-jazeera-english-on-youtube-30242.htm">Firstpost outshines BBC News, Al Jazeera English on YouTube</a>

News18 Hindi dominates election coverage, secures top spot as India’s No.1 Hindi News site

The Election Commission of India has released a set of comprehensive guidelines for media coverage during the upcoming General Elections to the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim in 2024. The election is scheduled to be held in multiple phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.


The Election Commission drew attention to Section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which prohibits the display of any election matter through television, cinematography, or similar means in any polling area during the 48-hour period preceding the conclusion of polling.


The Commission emphasized that during this period, media channels must refrain from telecasting or broadcasting any content, including panel discussions, debates, and news programs, that could influence or affect the election results. Violation of these provisions could result in imprisonment for up to two years or fines.


Additionally, the guidelines prohibit political advertisements on television, cable networks, radio, cinema halls, bulk SMS/voice messages, and audiovisual displays in polling areas during the 48-hour period before polling. The definition of ‘election matter’ includes any content intended to influence or affect the election outcome.


The Election Commission also reminded social media and digital media platforms of the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, regarding political content on their platforms.


Print media outlets were advised to adhere to guidelines issued by the Press Council of India and norms of journalists' conduct during elections. Electronic media was directed to follow the ‘Guidelines for Election Broadcasts’ issued by the News Broadcasting Standards Authority.


The Election Commission urged all concerned parties to ensure compliance with the guidelines to maintain the integrity and fairness of the electoral process. Any political advertisements published in newspapers on the polling day or one day before must be pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee at the state/district level.


The Commission warned against the publication of political advertisements masquerading as news headlines and speculative content predicting election outcomes, emphasizing the responsibility of editors for all published content.


Election Commission issues guidelines for media coverage during 2024 general elections

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has issued Advisories from time to time for television, print, and digital media, including social media platforms, to maintain adherence to the applicable norms and regulations applicable to the media, especially in matters related to public order, factual accuracy of information being published/broadcast, and communal harmony among various religious communities of India.

On January 20, MIB issued an advisory pertaining to the media coverage of the Ram Mandir. The Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya will be celebrated on 22nd January, 2024 across India. 

MIB stated in its advisory, “It is observed that certain unverified, provocative and fake messages are being spread, especially on social media, which can disturb communal harmony and public order.” 

It added, “In this regard, attention is invited to following provisions of the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, and Norms of Journalistic Conduct laid down by the Press Council of India under the Press Council Act, 1978, a reference to which has also been made in the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021” 

The ministry shared the norms of Journalistic Conduct, which include: 

Accuracy and Fairness: i) The Press shall eschew publication of inaccurate, baseless, graceless, misleading or distorted material.

Caste, Religion or Community References: vi) It is the duty of the newspaper to ensure that the tone, spirit and language of a write up is not objectionable, provocative, against the unity and integrity of the country, spirit of the constitution, seditious and inflammatory in nature or designed to promote communal disharmony.

Paramount National Interest: i) Newspapers shall, as a matter of self-regulation, exercise due restraint and caution in presenting any news, comment or information which is likely to jeopardise, endanger or harm the paramount interests of the State and society, or the rights of individuals with respect to which reasonable restrictions may be imposed by law on the right to freedom of speech and expression under clause (2) of Article 19 of the Constitution of India.”

Programme Code

The MIB advisory warned that no programme should be carried in the cable service which: Contains attack on religions or communities or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups or which promote communal attitudes; Contains anything obscene, defamatory, deliberate, false and suggestive innuendos and half truths; is likely to encourage or incite violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order or which promote anti-national attitudes.

Newspapers, private satellite TV channels and publishers of news and current affairs on digital media are advised to refrain from publishing/telecasting any content that may be false or manipulated or has the potential to disturb communal harmony or public order in the country, the advisory stated. 

MIB also highlighted the role of social media platforms, adding that, as part of their due diligence obligations, the social media platforms are advised to make reasonable efforts to not host, display or publish information of the nature mentioned above.

MIB issues media advisory: No room for false or disturbing content in Ram Mandir coverage

The latest data released by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) has solidified News18 India’s number one position during the five-state Exit Polls for the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram.


During the crucial hours of the Exit Poll results, News18 India secured 5,472 AMA’000s, positioning itself as the top choice among viewers for comprehensive Exit Poll coverage. TV9 Bharatvarsh followed closely at 5,264 AMA’000s, trailed by Aaj Tak at 5,258 AMA’000s, and Republic Bharat at 4,632 AMA’000s, among others. 


Asserting its dominance throughout the day, News18 India retained the spotlight with 10,194 AMA’000s, while TV9 Bharatvarsh stood second at 10,164 AMA’000s and Aaj Tak stood third at 9,697 AMA’000s. Competitors such as India TV and Republic Bharat trailed behind with 9,065 AMA’000s and 8,488 AMA’000s, respectively.


On the counting day across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, News18 Rajasthan's live YouTube stream commanded an exceptional 706k concurrent views, setting a new standard for digital engagement. News18 MP-Chhattisgarh achieved a remarkable 130k concurrent views during the pivotal counting hours. 


BARC data on the assembly elections counting day is slated for release on Thursday, 3rd December 2023, and News18 India stands poised to further solidify its position as the unrivalled leader in viewership and comprehensive coverage.


With the most robust line up of Prime Time shows and anchors in the news genre, News18 Network presents shows that offer unmatched perspective with authentic, comprehensible news. The network’s regional portfolio also stands as the largest in the country and has established leadership across regions in India.


News18 India’s exit poll coverage tops BARC ratings

While conducting structural audit and inspections of hoardings in the city, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) found 58 unauthorised hoardings on railway properties. According to media reports, the railway administration has not taken permission from NMC to erect these hoardings, said sources.

NMC has initiated a thorough audit of hoardings within the city-- this includes not only ensuring compliance with existing regulations but also assessing the structural integrity of the advertising structures. 

As per reports, the total authorised hoardings in Nagpur stand at 1,054, out of which 825 have been inspected. 58 of the unauthorised hoardings identified are on railway properties and 5 (in the initial phase) unauthorised hoardings were removed.

The unfortunate incident in Mumbai on May 13 has served as a wake-up call for municipal corporations across India. The collapse of an illegal ad hoarding which claimed 17 lives and left many injured has underscored a dire need for stringent regulations. Cities including Pune, Raipur, Chennai, and National Capital have been carrying out comprehensive audits in their respective cities.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/is-ajmera-group-the-brand-behind-the-tragic-ad-hoarding-collapse-in-mumbai-31883.htm">Is Ajmera Group the brand behind the tragic ad hoarding collapse in Mumbai?</a>

NMC finds 58 illegal hoardings on railway properties

As per the Nagpur Municipal Corporation statistics, 58 of the unauthorised hoardings identified on railway properties and 5 unauthorised hoardings were removed.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is on track to release a newly drafted revised OOH advertising policy following the Ghatkopar incident, by the end of August, sources close to the development shared.

The new policy with revised guidelines and new additions and provisions, is aimed at bringing in greater transparency, accountability, and stricter norms to check violations. 

On July 5th, BMC released the draft of these guidelines, which were then made public for feedback. 

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/bmcs-draft-guidelines-to-regulate-hoardings-are-to-be-unveiled-today-36288.htm">BMC’s draft guidelines to regulate hoardings are to be unveiled today</a>

The policy has new stringent clauses including hoardings' height capped at 100 ft., a complete ban on hoardings on footpaths, right-of-way on national highways, automatic switch off for Digital-OOH (DOOH) at 11 pm and no new hoardings within 50 meters around statues of national importance.

BMC can also put a complete ban on video or animated ads on DOOH, basis the recommendations from the traffic police, as they cause a great distraction for the people on the road.

The draft policy, which is said to have significant implications on OOH advertising in the city, also revealed no hoardings on rooftops and no ads on glass facades. Additionally, third-party insurance and QR codes with agency details on hoardings are to be mandatory, followed by stringent rules for DOOH also.

The draft has been prepared in consultation with Ernst & Young. Additionally, a seven-member committee including experts from IIT Mumbai has framed rules for luminosity and fixed timings of the DOOH screens.

On July 1st, State Minister Uday Samant sent notice to the parliamentary assembly and highlighted that the Maharashtra government will introduce a new policy on hoardings in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. He also mentioned that a committee led by retired chief judge Dilip Bhosle of the Allahabad High Court is looking into the issue.

"Although the draft may not address every possible future scenario, it is seen as a step in the right direction. The outdoor advertising companies understand the need for such regulations and are supportive, recognising that adherence is crucial to prevent future incidents," said an industry expert.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/various-civic-bodies-spur-into-action-to-ensure-safety-of-ad-hoardings-32046.htm">Various civic bodies spur into action to ensure safety of ad hoardings</a>

"The new OOH policy is expected to be released by the end of August. Timely implementation is critical, as delays could result in significant business losses for brands and agencies alike," added a close source.

The OOH policy guidelines listed on the BMC portal include:

-Permit will cease to exist after three months of expiry instead of six months.

-Permission for hoarding near high tension wire will be subject to specific NOC from the concerned Electricity distribution company.

-While finalising the policy for grant of permission for banner / boards / flag, etc., adequate care has been taken to keep in mind the “Code of Conduct” to grant permission for political displays during elections.

-Policy promoting digital advertising has been introduced- malls, sopping complex, commercial buildings, petrol pumps and multiplexes can apply for digital LED advertisements, fees for which will be will be at par with non-digital advertisements. 

-All existing hoardings on the terrace and with less than 100-metre distance between two hoardings can apply for converting their existing structures to digital hoarding structures.

-Levels of appeals against rejection/ cancellation orders have been simplified in the new policy.

-Advertiser has to obtain No Objection Certificate from Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) for illuminated or digital hoardings, which will be deemed valid until there is any change in lateral size, lowering of height or change in position of the hoarding or any structural change.

-All offices of MCGM can put up hoardings/ banners for display of civic messages without any explicit need for permission for the same.

-Policy regarding blacklisting of the advertiser/ permit holder for frequent violations on account of non-payment of fees has been introduced.

-The policy for granting permission for display of banner has been incorporated which supersede all previous circulars issued in respect of the display of banners.

Additional guidelines include:

-Hoardings maximum height capped at 100 feet from the ground level.

-Illumination of all OOH ads will be switched off at 11 pm. For this, an automatic timer device needs to be installed.

-Hoardings to maintain a least 25-meter distance from the stop line of each approach road at traffic junctions.

-No hoardings allowed on footpaths/ 'Right-of-way' on national highways.

-Denial of permission to set up hoardings on rooftops of buildings as well as glass facades

-Inclusion of QR codes on all billboards, which will have details of the owner, the agency, the date of issuance of the licence, and more.

-Mandatory third-party insurance 

-Only V shape back-to-back placement of hoardings is permitted and L shape is excluded 

-Distance between two hoardings should be of minimum 70 meters

-Distance between mobile hoarding and static hoarding placement should not be less than 30 meters. For foot overbridges and skywalks, the distance mandated is 10 feet.

-Structural audits of all hoardings every two years and geotechnical audits every five years

-Maximum allowable life for hoarding will be 50 years from the first approval

EXCLUSIVE: BMC mulls releasing new outdoor advertising policy by August-end

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will be unveiling a draft policy for the regulation and streamlining of the out-of-home (OOH) media in Mumbai today, July 5th. This follows the tragic Ghatkopar hoarding collapse that took 17 lives and left more than 75 injured.

The draft policy, which is said to have significant implications on OOH advertising in the city, has strict guidelines including no hoardings on rooftops and no ads on glass facades. Additionally, third-party insurance and QR codes with agency details on hoardings are to be mandatory, followed by stringent rules for DOOH also. 

On July 1st, State Minister Uday Samant sent notice to the parliamentary assembly and highlighted that the Maharashtra government will introduce a new policy on hoardings in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. He also mentioned that a committee led by retired chief judge Dilip Bhosle of the Allahabad High Court is looking into the issue.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/railways-and-grp-permitted-306-hoardings-45-of-which-oversized-bmc-report-32922.htm">Railways and GRP permitted 306 hoardings, 45 of which oversized: BMC report</a>

According to the reports, the draft has been prepared in consultation with Ernst & Young and additionally, a seven-member committee including experts from IIT Mumbai has framed rules for luminosity and fixed timings of the DOOH screens.

The draft

The scope of the draft policy by BMC includes balloons, indoor and outdoor displays, shop signages, mobile hoardings, and waterfront hoardings. That apart, some of the major proposals include denial of permission to set up hoardings on rooftops of buildings as well as glass facades, inclusion of QR codes on all billboards, which will have details of the owner, the agency, the date of issuance of the licence, and more. 

The draft policy has also made third-party insurance mandatory, besides drawing up new norms for audit inspection and examination and certification for stability of the new structures. The draft policy has also formulated fresh guidelines for DOOH advertising. Some of the features are:

- No permission for rooftop hoarding displays

- Only V shape back-to-back placement of hoardings is permitted and L shape is excluded
 
- Distance between two hoardings should be of minimum 70 meters
 
- No display allowed on glass walls

- Distance between mobile hoarding and static hoarding placement should not be less than 30 meters

- Mandatory third-party insurance

- Structural audits of all hoardings every two years and geotechnical audits every five years

- Maximum allowable life for hoarding will be 50 years from the first approval

On May 13, in a tragic accident, a 120x120-foot ad hoarding set up by Ego Media in Pant Nagar, Ghatkopar, collapsed at a busy petrol pump following a brief spell of unseasonal rain and strong winds.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the BMC have shown that the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railways approved 306 unauthorised hoardings in the city. 1,225 hoardings have been reported in Mumbai, according to the survey. Furthermore, the 306 hoardings allowed by the GRP and Western and Central Railway are illegal and do not have the requisite permission, in contrast to the hoardings cleared by the BMC, which are legal and fall within the permitted size of 40x40 ft. Of the 306 illegal hoardings, 45 exceed the permissible size of 40x40 ft.

Read more: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/various-civic-bodies-spur-into-action-to-ensure-safety-of-ad-hoardings-32046.htm">Various civic bodies spur into action to ensure safety of ad hoardings</a>

The incident drew nationwide criticism, forcing various civic bodies spur into action to ensure the safety of ad hoardings. Civic bodies in cities including Delhi, Chennai, Pune, Kolhapur, and Navi Mumbai have taken significant steps to curb the menace of illegal hoardings, over the past few weeks.

BMC’s draft guidelines to regulate hoardings are to be unveiled today

In 2014, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered the removal of all illegal hoardings in the state within a time period of 48 hours, as a petition filed stated that these hoarding pose risks to safe driving and can cause accidents. 

However on Sunday, supporters of political groups put up large posters on VVIP roads in the state’s capital Bhopal. Given the onset of the monsoon season, these poster often fall off their suspenders or are uprooted from their spots, putting motorists at risk. 

Brand Equity reported than a Bhopal Municipal Corporation official said that the hoardings were only temporary and will be removed soon. However, travellers still face risk in the interim.

Under sections of the MP Outdoor Advertisement Media Rules, 2017, the MP govt has the power to take action against the illegal hoardings. The rules also include provisions for penalties and offences. 



Bhopal illegal hoardings pose threat to motorists safety

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) came down heavily on the state home department for not responding to its summons in the illegal hoarding collapse case in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar. 

A bench comprising chairperson Justice K K Tated and member MA Sayeed asked the additional chief secretary (home) for an explanation for why action should not be taken against them. 

The MSHRC had issued summons to the home department, police, Government Railway Police (GRP) and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to appear before them on June 6 after a complaint filed by advocate Amit Dubey. 

The home department was the only body with no representation or report during the hearing which caused the bench to respond sternly. 

“It is rather shocking to note that despite issuance of notice/summons to the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, none appeared on its behalf nor report is submitted. Such apathy is strongly deprecated as it amounts to disobedience of our orders / directions,” the MSHRC’s order stated. 

“Therefore, Spl. Inspector General of Police Investigation Wing of this Commission is directed to call explanation from the respondents why action should not be taken against them under Section 166A of the Indian Penal Code to seek explanation from Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department as to why action should not be taken against him for non-compliance of the order dated 16.05.2024,” the order further mentioned. 

The order also stated that the report submitted by the GRP mentions that permission was granted for the petrol pump. However, later in the report, it mentions that permission was not given. 

The court order stated, “Pertinent to note that on going through the contents of the report.. it is revealed that the particular parcel of land, bearing No. 194A/6 is owned by Home Department Police Headquarters while property bearing No. 194A/7 is owned by Police Housing Welfare Corporation and necessary permission for petrol pump etc. came to be accorded by Director General of Police vide order dated 30.01.2020.”

“At the same time…it is stated that permission for placing the hoarding, moved by the concerned Qicom Brand Solution Ltd, was moved to Commissioner of Police Railways, and which in fact came to be rejected and the same came to be allotted one Ego Media Pvt. Ltd by the then Commissioner of Police (Railways),” it added. 

The order revealed that a bare reading of the report creates more confusion than clarity over who is to be held responsible for granting permission for installing the hoarding in question. 

Dy. Commissioner of Police Mr. Patil will be submitting a detailed affidavit with copies of authentic documents at the next hearing. 

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/tags/freeourskylines">Catch all our special coverage here: #FreeOurSkylines - Fight against illegal ad hoardings</a>

Mumbai illegal hoarding collapse: MSHRC cracks down on home dept for not appearing at hearing

After the collapse of the illegal hoarding in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar, multiple local authorities across the country have taken steps to pull down illegal hoarding in their respective cities. 

Recently, the Sinhagad Road zonal office received structural stability assessments of 143 hoardings till March 31st, 2025. The office found that four of these hoardings were potentially harmful and have been taken down as a result. 

Additionally, all hoarding holders have been advised to take down the hoardings to prevent possible risky situations and financial losses due to strong winds. 

Earlier, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) pulled down 53 illegal hoardings to date and has ensured to continue the action in the coming days. Of the 85 illegal hoardings in the city, 84 are located in the Hadapsar-Mundhwa area and one in Aundh-Baner. 

PMC commissioner Rajendra Bhosale at a meeting instructed officials to launch a drive against illegal hoardings and carry out a structural audit of permitted billboards. Accordingly, a drive has been undertaken in the city, a media report said.


“Officials and ward officers have been instructed to conduct a structural audit of hoardings and submit reports within the next two days. If action is not taken then officials will face action,” said PMC Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale.


On Wednesday, PMC authorities found that out of 491 hoardings inspected, 11 particularly were dangerous and were subsequently removed under the jurisdiction of the Wagholi – Nagar Road Regional Office. License Inspector Ganesh Bharti had then confirmed that the operation is still ongoing. 

#FreeOurSkylines - Fight against illegal ad hoardings: A terrible tragedy struck on May 13 after a 100-foot-tall illegal billboard fell at a petrol pump in Ghatkopar during dust storms and unseasonal rains in Mumbai. The killer hoarding caused the deaths of over a dozen people and injured many others. The catastrophic incident outraged citizens who have been dealing with the menace of illegal ad hoardings. The people don't want just answers but solutions, as they turn to civic authorities, advertising agencies, industry bodies, brand marketers, and media owners, to take responsibility and fight against the menace of illegal advertising hoardings. So speak up and join the #FreeOurSkylines movement. Write to us at Storyboard18@nw18.com with your concerns and views, and let’s make our cities safer together.



<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/tags/freeourskylines">Catch all our special coverage here: #FreeOurSkylines - Fight against illegal ad hoardings</a>

PMC takes action against Sinhagad Road hoardings

On May 29, after a series of complaints came from the public, the public works department in the city of Bengaluru began a drive to eradicate illegal advertisements from state highways and district main roads in the South of Karnataka.


The drive will see the removal of illegal advertisements from Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Mysuru, Ramanagara, Kodagu, Shivamogga districts among others coming under PWD’s south zone, as explained by a Times of India report.


Since the time Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) initiated actions by banning the display of advertisements and their hoardings in the city of Bengaluru, as stated in the report, outdoor advertisers began to focus on roads near Bengaluru.


PWD received numerous complaints that highlighted their plight stating that illegal advertisements caused accidents and were problematic in nature. 


Since the time a big illegal billboard–due to wind storms and unseasonal rains–injured and led to the death of casualties, there has been a nationwide drive to put a stop to the rise of illegal hoardings and remove the existing ones.


Right from Pune, Kolhapur, Chennai and Raipur, the civic bodies of these respective states took steps to put a stop to the rise of illegal hoardings.


On May 23, the BMC brought together a panel of eight members including experts from the Indian Institution of Technology, Bombay to form detailed and relevant guidelines and rules with respect to billboards and other forms of outdoor advertising in Mumbai, as per reports.


The new committee will address environmental and health issues and traffic safety implications of granting permissions of digital hoardings, the notification added.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/railways-and-grp-permitted-306-hoardings-45-of-which-oversized-bmc-report-32922.htm">Railways and GRP permitted 306 hoardings, 45 of which oversized: BMC report </a>

PWD to remove illegal ads from South Karnataka’s state highways and district main roads

Preliminary investigations conducted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have shown that the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railways approved 306 unauthorised hoardings in the city. 1,225 hoardings have been reported in Mumbai, according to the survey. Furthermore, the 306 hoardings allowed by the GRP and Western and Central Railway are illegal and do not have the requisite permission, in contrast to the hoardings cleared by the BMC, which are legal and fall within the permitted size of 40x40 ft. Of the 306 illegal hoardings, 45 exceed the permissible size of 40x40 ft.


The report also revealed that BMC, in April 2022, had sent a notice to the GRP asking how hoardings were allowed without clearance from the civic body. GRP responded that railway police were covered by Railways-related laws and did not need BMC permission. There was no communication from BMC to GRP thereafter until May 2024 just weeks before the hoarding collapsed during a dust storm, said a TOI report.


Following the recent hoarding collapse which claimed 17 lives and injured 80, the BMC for now has demolished 16 of the 306 illegal hoardings, in Dadar TT and at the BPCL petrol pump in Ghatkopar.


That apart, GRP ACP Shahaji Nikam was summoned on Tuesday by the Mumbai Police SIT investigating the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case. As per media reports, his name was featured on some of the documents related to granting permissions for the hoarding following which he had been called to record his statement. The police will also be writing to the BMC seeking to find out how an illegal hoarding was allowed to come up in their jurisdiction without them taking any action.


The SIT has arrested owner of the hoarding Bhavesh Bhinde, who is in their custody till today.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/pmc-brings-down-53-illegal-hoardings-32565.htm">PMC brings down 53 illegal hoardings</a>

Railways and GRP permitted 306 hoardings, 45 of which oversized: BMC report

While conducting structural audit and inspections of hoardings in the city, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) found 58 unauthorised hoardings on railway properties. According to media reports, the railway administration has not taken permission from NMC to erect these hoardings, said sources.

NMC has initiated a thorough audit of hoardings within the city-- this includes not only ensuring compliance with existing regulations but also assessing the structural integrity of the advertising structures. 

As per reports, the total authorised hoardings in Nagpur stand at 1,054, out of which 825 have been inspected. 58 of the unauthorised hoardings identified are on railway properties and 5 (in the initial phase) unauthorised hoardings were removed.

The unfortunate incident in Mumbai on May 13 has served as a wake-up call for municipal corporations across India. The collapse of an illegal ad hoarding which claimed 17 lives and left many injured has underscored a dire need for stringent regulations. Cities including Pune, Raipur, Chennai, and National Capital have been carrying out comprehensive audits in their respective cities.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/is-ajmera-group-the-brand-behind-the-tragic-ad-hoarding-collapse-in-mumbai-31883.htm">Is Ajmera Group the brand behind the tragic ad hoarding collapse in Mumbai?</a>

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has pulled down 53 illegal hoardings to date and has ensured to continue the action in the coming days. This comes after the Mumbai illegal ad hoarding collapse incident that took 17 lives and left more than 75 injured on May 13.
Of the 85 illegal hoardings in the city, 84 are located in the Hadapsar-Mundhwa area and one in Aundh-Baner. 


PMC commissioner Rajendra Bhosale at a meeting instructed officials to launch a drive against illegal hoardings and carry out a structural audit of permitted billboards. Accordingly, a drive has been undertaken in the city, a media report said.


“Officials and ward officers have been instructed to conduct a structural audit of hoardings and submit reports within the next two days. If action is not taken then officials will face action,” said PMC Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale.


On Wednesday, PMC authorities found that out of 491 hoardings inspected, 11 particularly were dangerous and were subsequently removed under the jurisdiction of the Wagholi – Nagar Road Regional Office. License Inspector Ganesh Bharti had then confirmed that the operation is still ongoing. 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/brands-to-demand-accountability-from-ooh-vendors-after-mumbai-hoarding-incident-31505.htm">Brands to demand accountability from OOH vendors after Mumbai hoarding incident</a>

PMC brings down 53 illegal hoardings

Post the collapse of the illegal hoarding in Mumbai on May 13, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has lodged an FIR against 24 people, who were owners of illegal hoardings.


The FIR has also been lodged against advertisers and owners of the land where the illegal hoardings had been erected.


PCMC has identified 341 hoardings, which exceed permitted limits as per their licenses, stated an HT report. Between May 15 and May 20, nine illegal hoardings were removed by PCMC.


On May 16, a hoarding had collapsed in Moshi in Pune, and as per the report, an offence had been registered against 24 landowners, 24 hoarding owners followed by the advertisers.


PCMC has called for rules and regulations in place by stating that the advertisers and landowners should check whether permissions, especially from sky signs and licenses department were obtained.


Post the collapse of the illegal hoarding in Mumbai on May 13, The BMC has now brought together a panel of eight members including experts from the Indian Institution of Technology, Bombay to form detailed and relevant guidelines and rules with respect to billboards and other forms of outdoor advertising in Mumbai, as per reports.

The panel includes Rakesh Kumar, an environmental expert and a past employee of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute. Professors Avjit Maji, Nagendra Rao Velaga and Shreekumar from IIT Bombay’s industrial design department are a part of the panel as well.

Also on the panel are BMC additional commissioner Ashwini Joshi, who will head the panel, Anil Kumbhare, joint police commissioner, Kiran Dighavkar, BMC’s deputy commissioner and Anil Kate, superintendent of license.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/special-coverage/bmc-sets-up-8-person-committee-to-address-billboards-and-outdoor-advertising-in-mumbai-32375.htm">BMC sets up 8-person committee to address billboards and outdoor advertising in Mumbai</a>

NMC finds 58 illegal hoardings on railway properties

As per the Nagpur Municipal Corporation statistics, 58 of the unauthorised hoardings identified on railway properties and 5 unauthorised hoardings were removed.

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