PCMC to frame policy on outdoor advertising

PIMPRI CHINCHWAD: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation will frame a policy for outdoor advertising within the jurisdiction of the civic body.
The policy would be applicable for all outdoor advertisements, new and existing, within the jurisdiction of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
The policy is based after a careful review of global studies on the safety of advertisement devices.The premise of the policy is that all advertisements are not hazardous, but the ones put up on roads are potential dangers to the drivers.
The policy is also premised on the fact that while outdoor advertisements do bring revenue to the city, any city-based policy must be driven by considerations of safety and aesthetics. The advertisement must be maintained in a clean and safe condition, civic officials said.
The global review has also noted that there are quite a few cities that discourage large advertisement devices.
The participatory (public private partnership) would be encouraged in conceptualization, planning, operation, revenue collection, implementation of outdoor advertisements wherever possible, to bring in operational efficiencies and effective management. The municipal commissioner Shravan Hardikar has given the approval for the policy.
The PCMC will maintain an online traceable grievance redressal system through its web portal and or other modes, enabling citizens to lodge complaints about any advertising devices.
The PCMC would also be responsible for collecting charges in the form of taxes, fees and rent, from every person who displays any advertisement to public view, in any manner visible from a public street or place.
The parameters of an outdoor advertisement include those affixed to a large frame which are overhead structures and supported on two opposite ends with pillars. They are visible to vehicles and pedestrians.
Transit advertisements are those that are displayed on bus queue shelters, bus stands, terminals, railway terminals, cycle stands, among others.
The civic body will keep a check on unauthorized advertisements. It will have the power to remove, dismantle, spoil, deface or prohibit the display of illegal advertisements.
The PCMC would be able to ensure that the advertisement on public amenities would be for public utility and not for the promotion of a product, company, etc.