Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Takes Legal Action After Tragic Hoarding Incident
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has escalated its crackdown on unsafe advertising structures by filing an official police complaint against a private advertiser. This decisive move comes in the wake of a tragic incident on Tuesday evening where the collapse of a hoarding resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
Police Complaint Filed Against Negligent Advertiser
On Wednesday, BMC authorities lodged a formal complaint at the Bharatpur police station targeting a private advertiser who allegedly failed to remove the iron framework of the hoarding involved in the fatal collapse. This action was taken despite previous directives issued to all advertisers mandating the disposal of such potentially hazardous structures.
BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "Stringent action will be taken against the advertiser. Our hoarding removal exercise is ongoing. More unused hoardings will be identified and removed soon. The city, being a cyclone-prone zone, often faces threats from hoardings, and utmost priority is being given to pull them down."
Systematic Removal of Unclaimed Hoardings
The municipal corporation has identified 193 unclaimed hoardings that pose significant safety risks across the city. BMC has developed a comprehensive plan to address this issue by engaging a specialized private party with expertise in dismantling these structures.
BMC Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Ajay Mohanty explained the process: "We have floated a tender to hire a private agency to remove all unclaimed hoardings by cutting them into small pieces and selling them. Based on the price quoted by the highest bidder, BMC will get its share."
This initiative represents a practical approach to both public safety and resource recovery, as the iron beams and rods from dismantled hoardings will be properly processed and sold.
Background of Regulatory Enforcement
The current enforcement actions follow a series of regulatory measures implemented by BMC over the past year. In December of last year, the corporation issued an ultimatum to private advertisers, demanding the removal of approximately 800 hoardings and warning of empanelment withdrawal for those failing to renew their contracts after three years.
This regulatory push yielded partial compliance, with around 607 hoardings being claimed as their related advertisers came forward to renew contracts. However, the empanelment of advertisement agencies with BMC officially expired on December 12, 2025.
Mohanty provided additional context: "BMC officials said they communicated about the lapse of empanelment on November 15 last year, requesting submission of necessary documents for renewal. No response was received from the advertisers until December-end, and their empanelment was not renewed."
Classification of Unauthorized Structures
As a result of these enforcement actions, all hoardings, advertisement displays, and allied structures installed on private lands by approximately 26 agencies within BMC limits have been officially classified as unauthorized or illegal. Following systematic removal efforts, 193 hoardings remain to be dismantled, as none have been claimed by responsible parties.
Proactive Safety Measures Implemented
BMC's safety initiatives extend beyond reactive measures. In October of last year, as a precautionary step, the corporation directed advertisers to remove approximately 100 rooftop hoardings located at particularly vulnerable points throughout the city.
This proactive approach recognizes the specific meteorological challenges facing Bhubaneswar. When wind speeds exceed 80 kilometers per hour accompanied by heavy rainfall, hoardings become particularly susceptible to damage and collapse, creating significant public safety hazards in this cyclone-prone region.
The municipal corporation's comprehensive strategy combines legal action, systematic removal of hazardous structures, and proactive safety measures to protect citizens from similar tragedies in the future.
