Patna Municipal Corporation Issues Strict Deadline for Advertising Agencies
The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has taken a firm stance against advertising agencies operating within the city, issuing a directive that requires them to submit complete details of all their hoardings, unipoles, and advertisements by March 1. Failure to comply with this order will result in the immediate removal of the structures and the blacklisting of the agencies involved.
Comprehensive Information Required for Compliance
PMC Commissioner Yashpal Meena has specified that agencies must provide detailed information for each advertising installation. This includes:
- Whether the site is located on government or private land
- Ward number and circle details
- Total area of the advertisement
- Agency name
- Precise dimensions of each structure
- Geographical coordinates
All this information must be submitted in both soft and hard copies at the Maurya Lok Complex advertisement cell. The requirement for geographical coordinates is particularly notable, as it will enable the PMC to accurately map and monitor all advertising structures across the city.
Massive Outstanding Dues of Rs 107 Crore
Official records reveal a staggering financial burden on the municipal body, with 54 advertising agencies owing a total of Rs 107 crore to the PMC. According to sources within the corporation, this outstanding amount comprises Rs 79 crore in principal and Rs 33 crore in accumulated interest. To date, only Rs 5 crore has been recovered, highlighting the severity of the revenue loss.
Strict Consequences for Non-Compliance
Commissioner Meena has warned that agencies failing to meet the March 1 deadline will face legal action under the Public Demands Recovery (PDR) Act. The PMC plans to begin royalty collection from March 1 to prevent further revenue erosion. Any structure not declared by the deadline will be considered illegal and subject to immediate removal, accompanied by substantial financial penalties.
This crackdown represents a significant effort by the Patna Municipal Corporation to regulate the city's advertising landscape, ensure proper revenue collection, and maintain urban aesthetics. The move comes amid growing concerns about unauthorized advertisements cluttering public spaces and depriving the municipal body of essential funds for civic development.
