Pune City Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram announce a joint drive to remove all illegal hoardings across the city within one week. The coordinated effort begins Thursday, with authorities vowing to register offenses against any reappearing hoardings and take strict action against those who obstruct the operation.
Drive Triggered by Chief Minister’s Directive
The initiative follows Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighting illegal hoardings that deface cities and towns statewide. During a joint press conference Wednesday at the Pune Police Commissionerate, Kumar and Ram outlined the plan after a meeting between city police and PMC officials.
Kumar states, “A joint meeting addressed illegal hoardings and long-term monsoon preparedness. We observe a sharp rise in unauthorized hoardings. Starting Thursday, we launch a coordinated drive to clear them all in one week. Action targets printers, publishers, and erectors, with lists already prepared. Police and PMC urge residents to help eliminate this defacement.”
Coordination with Local Leaders
Police station in-charges and PMC ward officers hold coordination meetings, linking with the 165 newly elected corporators. Kumar emphasizes, “Corporators serve as bridges between people and administration. The drive proceeds in full coordination with them.”
Ram adds, “Pune develops rapidly. We choose disciplined growth over reckless expansion. The Chief Minister repeatedly raises illegal hoardings in speeches. We launch this drive for a hoarding-free Pune, including those with birthday wishes featuring large and small faces that harm city aesthetics. We involve corporators and city unit heads of all political parties.”
Enforcement and Timeline
Within one week, officers certify their areas as hoarding-free. Kumar explains, “Initial cleansing occurs without cases. Violations trigger criminal cases and machine seizures to transform the city’s defaced landscape.”
Addressing political hoardings and past pressures, Kumar declares, “That era ends now. We start fresh, taking all in confidence but acting against obstructors.”
Additional City Initiatives
The meeting covers monsoon readiness, identifying 400 waterlogging spots with solutions. Joint drives target unclaimed vehicles, illegal activities on open spaces, hill slopes, and grounds, including added CCTV and lights. A pilot against unauthorized hawkers starts on Fergusson College Road in coordination with PMC.
