38,000 illegal hoardings and posters in Baner area alone in Pune

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is yet to provide details sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, about the total number of illegal posters and hoardings in the city.

On August 1, the PMC, for the second time, furnished information to the city entrepreneur and youth activist, Tehseen Poonawalla.

The PMC officials said there are more than 38,000 illegal banners, posters and hoardings in Baner area, of which they have seized about 16,000.

“However, for other areas, the PMC has failed to provide any information to us,” said Poonawalla, who along with a group of youth activists, has started a campaign for removal of illegal banners and hoardings that are spoiling the beauty of the city.

These activists have launched a website, zeroposters.com, on July 18 to garner support for the cause. So far, more than 70,000 city residents have pledged their support.

Poonawalla asked why no fines are imposed on those who had put up illegal posters and banners in Baner area.

Poonawalla has threatened that he and other activists would put up bizarre posters and hoardings near the PMC commissioner, Mahesh Pathak’s residence and the PMC headquarters after August 15. These would include messages wishing cats and dogs on their birthdays.

On July 17 the PMC had sought time to provide information. Accusing the PMC of not being serious in handling the issue, Poonawalla lamented that putting up illegal posters and banners is still continuing.

“We can see posters on subjects like Rakhi and Dahi Handi put up in the city,” Poonawalla said.

Ramesh Shelar, in-charge of the anti-encroachment department of the PMC, maintained that it takes time to collect data on illegal hoardings and posters in the city.

“Also, it is difficult to track the culprit, so we are unable to impose a penalty on them,” he said.