Initiation Of Action By Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, Bangalore Development Authority Against The Illegal Hoardings, Banners And Flexes Across The State Of Karnataka

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is the administrative organization in charge of maintaining public facilities and some of the city’s infrastructure. The function and responsibilities include “orderly development of the city” — zoning and construction codes, health, sanitation, licensing, trade, and education, as well as quality of life problems like public open space, water bodies, parks, greenery, etc.  

Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is the governmental institution that serves as a regulatory body needed to “develop in the appropriate way a Comprehensive Development Plan” for the Bangalore Metropolitan Region in accordance with the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act of 1961.In addition, it is today the major land developer in Bangalore and manages the planning and development of the city’s infrastructure, the provision of sites and services connected to development, and the housing needs of the city’s less fortunate residents. Without the BDA’s approval, no other authority or individual may carry out development within the Bangalore Metropolitan Area.  

The High Court of Karnataka ordered BBMP and BDA to submit a report on the permissions granted for erecting hoardings and further ordered to take action against illegal hoardings after receiving complaints that illegal hoardings, flexes, and banners were indiscriminately placed up throughout the city, including the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) if none had been done thus far. Additionally, it instructed BBMP senior officers to take legal action against lower employees who failed to stop hoardings from being erected unlawfully. 

The Bench observed that there were several hoardings placed in the main areas of the city, some of which appeared to be impeding traffic, and also informed by the amicus curiae that BBMP being authorized by the bylaws can remove without warning any signage placed in a public area put without permission and take appropriate legal action. The bylaw also stipulates that political and non-commercial signage may only be displayed with the consent of the property owner and with permission from the BBMP. Moreover, Section 3 of Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act of 1981 states that in case advertisements are erected or exhibited in any place open to public view without permission from local authority criminal law must be set in motion and violators would have to pay a fine of ₹1,000 or will have to undergo six months of imprisonment or both