Pune: With the monsoon season fast approaching, concerns over public safety in Pune have escalated following multiple incidents of hoarding collapses in various parts of the city. Recent incidents in Wagholi, Dhanori–Porwal Road, and Manterwadi Chowk in Fursungi have brought attention to the hazards posed by unauthorized and structurally unsound billboards.
Despite previous accidents and repeated promises of action, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has yet to demonstrate effective enforcement against illegal hoardings. Reports indicate that more than 357 unauthorized hoardings line Nagar Road alone, with no substantial punitive action or removals in sight.
Investigations have revealed that many of these structures were erected without official clearance and, in some cases, were backed by falsified structural safety certificates. A third-party audit conducted by Sahara RTI Company confirmed widespread non-compliance, raising serious concerns about corruption within enforcement agencies. Field officers are alleged to be accepting bribes in exchange for ignoring these violations, leading to unchecked expansion of unsafe advertising structures.
Following a hoarding collapse in Dhanori on May 20, the PMC initiated the removal of 101 illegal hoardings. However, civic groups have criticized the move as insufficient and delayed, noting that hundreds of hoardings have been constructed since 2022 with no fines collected and minimal accountability enforced.
In addition to the high density of hoardings in areas like Nagar Road, the lack of structural audits and preventive measures has intensified anxiety among residents. The risks are particularly pronounced as heavy rains and strong winds associated with the monsoon could further destabilize already weak installations.
Although the PMC has convened meetings and issued general instructions to prevent further accidents, these steps have been criticized as superficial. The collapse of another hoarding just one day after a municipal meeting with advertising agencies further casts doubt on the effectiveness of current oversight measures.
With the monsoon season imminent, the absence of a structured action plan and proactive risk assessment has left citizens vulnerable. Public sentiment continues to grow in favor of urgent intervention, including mandatory audits, insurance requirements, and stricter regulatory enforcement.
Pune now faces a critical juncture. The situation calls for immediate and transparent action by civic authorities to ensure public safety and prevent avoidable tragedies.
