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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>

NMC finds 58 illegal hoardings on railway properties

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>