NMC registers 10 FIRs regarding illegal hoardings, notices to 309

NAGPUR: Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has registered an FIR against 10 organizations and has issued show cause notices to more than 309 establishments, mainly coaching institutes and others, for completely illegal installation of hoardings, banners and posters within the city limits.

This action was also a result of a three-day intensive campaign launched by the advertisement department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation against illegal hoardings put up on electric poles, road sides etc. across the city.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Revenue) Milind Meshram told TOI that the department has also removed over 500 hoardings and banners while collecting a fine of around Rs 29,000 from people who have brought bad name to the city by putting up hoardings illegally.

Several hoardings were put up in flagrant violation of the Bombay High Court’s directions to the Nagpur bench. As per the directions of the High Court, not only the Nagpur Municipal Corporation but the city police is also empowered to take action in such cases. However, sources in the NMC also said that the city police never cooperate in registering FIRs against unauthorized hoardings and banners, which continue to plague the city.

Hoardings were found to have been put up illegally

Following the failure of assistant municipal commissioners of all 10 zonal offices to put a stop to similar defacement, municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B had asked the advertisement department to launch a surprise drive against illegal hoardings. After this, about 10 zonal teams have been formed, which have also campaigned in streets, major roads, and market areas.

Most illegal hoardings have been found in the Gandhibagh zone. The action taken report data revealed, “The team removed 101 illegal hoardings and also issued notices to 46 institutions for putting them up.”

Dharampeth zone, which has many posh localities, has also found 87 illegal hoardings and banners. The department issued show cause notices after removing 27 establishments for illegally putting up advertisements.

Tell me, the team removed about 77 hoardings of Dhantoli zone by running a campaign and later issued notices to 55 organizations. An FIR was also registered.

Under the Ashi Nagar zone, hoardings were found to have been put up illegally by eight establishments and the department also filed a police complaint against six organizations.

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