BBMP crackdown on illegal banners and advertisements in Bengaluru

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has intensified its efforts to eliminate unauthorized banners, flexes, and advertisements that clutter the city's streets. These illegal displays not only deface public spaces but also pose safety hazards. To combat this issue, BBMP has implemented a strict enforcement mechanism involving ward engineers, police coordination, and financial penalties.

The Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of each ward is empowered to identify and remove illegal banners and flexes. As per BBMP regulations, no advertisement, flex, or banner can be displayed without prior approval from the BBMP Chief Commissioner. The AEE has the authority to take immediate action, ensuring that unauthorized advertisements are swiftly removed. 

Residents who spot illegal banners can raise complaints through BBMP Sahaya Vani (1533). These complaints are attended to at the BBMP control room, which maintains direct communication with the jurisdictional police station. This ensures that enforcement teams can act promptly and coordinate with law enforcement when necessary. 

BBMP’s Ad Enforcement Team works closely with Hoysala police patrol units and other law enforcement agencies. If illegal advertisements are spotted, police teams notify BBMP officials, who then dispatch enforcement personnel to the location. This collaborative approach enhances efficiency, ensuring that unauthorized banners are removed without delay. Upon receiving a complaint or spotting an illegal advertisement, the BBMP Ad Enforcement Team visits the location, removes the ads, and files an FIR. The First Information Report (FIR) is registered against both the individual who erected the banner and the beneficiary of the advertisement. This ensures accountability and discourages repeat offenses.

 

Once an FIR is filed, the police conduct an investigation into the offenders.The enforcement process ensures that those violating BBMP’s advertisement regulations face strict legal consequences. This includes:

• Seizing materials used for illegal advertisements  
• Identifying the individuals responsible  
• Taking legal action, which may include arrests  

Not only are the individuals erecting banners held accountable, but printers who produce unauthorized advertisements are also liable for criminal charges. This measure targets the root of the problem, discouraging printing houses from engaging in illegal advertising activities.

The expenses incurred by BBMP’s enforcement team in removing illegal advertisements are recovered from the penalized individuals. The AEE coordinates with the BBMP Assistant Revenue Officer (ARO) to recover these costs as property tax dues. This ensures that offenders bear the financial burden of their actions, further discouraging violations.

BBMP’s multi-layered enforcement strategy is a strong deterrent against illegal banners and advertisements in Bengaluru. By empowering ward engineers, coordinating with police patrol teams, filing FIRs, and imposing financial penalties, the civic body is taking decisive steps to maintain the city’s cleanliness and uphold legal advertising practices. Residents are encouraged to report violations via BBMP Sahaya Vani (1533) to support this initiative and ensure a banner-free Bengaluru.