Ranchi, September 1, 2026: The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has directed advertising agencies to inspect their roadside hoardings and advertising boards and remove or restructure those installed below 12 feet from the road surface.
The directive has been issued through a public notice by the civic body’s Market Branch, citing the need to enforce orders of the Jharkhand High Court and Supreme Court concerning public safety and pedestrian movement.
Advertising agencies have been given seven days to comply with the order.
Hoardings on roads, poles and walkways covered
According to the notice, agencies must inspect hoardings and advertising structures installed on road dividers, street-light poles, electricity poles, walkways and pathways.
Any hoarding or advertisement positioned below the specified 12-foot height must be removed and shifted or restructured in accordance with applicable rules.
The agencies have also been directed to submit a compliance report to the RMC Market Branch within seven days.
Civic body warns of seizure for non-compliance
The RMC has warned that agencies failing to comply within the deadline could face direct action from the civic body.
In such cases, the corporation will remove the hoardings and advertising boards itself and seize the material. The notice states that the responsibility for the consequences will rest with the concerned advertising agencies.
Pedestrian movement cited as key concern
The corporation has linked the directive to the need to keep pedestrian routes safe and free from obstructions.
The notice refers to the Supreme Court’s recognition of the “Right to Walk” as a fundamental right and says safe and unobstructed footpaths are therefore essential for pedestrians.
The latest directive places the responsibility on advertising agencies to review their existing installations and bring them into compliance within the stipulated period.
