Ranchi Municipal Corporation Launches Hoarding Audit Amid Safety Concerns

Ranchi: After two consecutive days of intense storm and heavy rain in Ranchi triggered safety concerns over large outdoor advertisements, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has launched a citywide structural audit and enforcement drive against unsafe and illegal hoardings and monopoles.

The move comes days after a monopole advertisement structure collapsed near a mall on Kanke Road during a storm, while another rooftop hoarding fell in the Piska More area amid strong winds. Though no major injuries were reported, the incidents exposed the growing risk posed by ageing and unauthorised advertisement structures during extreme weather conditions.

The civic body said around 800 authorised advertising structures, including nearly 200 monopoles, are currently installed across the city. All registered structures will now undergo technical and structural inspection to assess their strength, foundation stability, installation quality, approved design compliance and maintenance standards.

RMC officials said a special inspection team headed by deputy municipal commissioner Gautam Prasad Sahu has been formed to carry out the verification drive across all wards.

“Public safety is our highest priority. Every advertising structure installed in the city must comply with structural and technical safety norms. Unsafe and illegal hoardings will be removed immediately and strict action will be taken against the responsible agencies,” Sahu said.

The corporation has issued notices to all registered advertising agencies, directing them to submit structural stability certificates issued by authorised structural engineers within seven days. Officials admitted that despite earlier instructions, only two agencies have submitted the required strength reports so far.

In an official statement, RMC warned that submission of a structural safety certificate would not legalise unauthorised hoardings. “Illegal advertisement structures will continue to face removal action as per rules. The corporation will not compromise with citizens’ safety under any circumstances,” the statement said.

The civic body also warned building owners allowing rooftop hoardings without proper structural assessment that they would be held responsible in case of accidents or damage during storms.