Pune, 13th August 2023: In a bid to ensure the safety of hoardings across the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced the formation of an independent panel comprising five members to conduct structural audits. This decision comes as a response to the alarming realization that a significant number of hoarding companies have submitted audit reports from the same organization, raising concerns about the credibility of the audits.
The PMC’s concern about potential bias or foul play arising from a single organization conducting a majority of the structural audits has prompted this proactive step. Over 50% of the structural audit reports submitted to the PMC were prepared by a single organization, according to officials. Furthermore, the limited information available about the firms conducting these structural audits has added to the skepticism surrounding the reports.
The PMC’s signage department has thus taken the initiative to establish a dedicated panel that will conduct unbiased structural audits. With around 2,300 legally permitted hoardings in Pune, the municipal body has already undertaken the removal of over 1,000 illegal hoardings as part of a recent special drive to enhance safety.
Recent incidents of hoarding collapses in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad resulting in tragic fatalities have prompted both cities’ civic bodies to address the issue with utmost seriousness. Stringent actions against illegal hoardings have been initiated as part of safety measures. Furthermore, owners of legally permitted hoardings have been directed to conduct thorough structural audits to prevent future mishaps.
