BBMP to release draft advertising policy within a week: DK Shivakumar

The new outdoor advertising policy will allow hoardings to be reinstated in the city of Bengaluru after a six-year ban. | Photo source: File photo

Bengaluru Deputy Chief Minister and Development Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday said that the draft of the new outdoor advertising policy would be put out for public discussion within a week. He said outdoor advertising and hoardings would be allowed on a regulated basis on roads wider than 60 feet. This will allow the reinstatement of the signs in the city after a six-year ban.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting with officials at the BBMP office on Friday, he said that there would be 15 days to submit objections to the project. The advertising policy has been in limbo for the past year due to ongoing court cases.

Talks were held with various organizations and institutions. “Group packages” will be prepared and advertising will be allowed on roads wider than 60 feet. Advertisements will be allowed on both government and private buildings, with private buildings allowed to rent space after paying taxes to the BBMP. Uniformity will be maintained according to the size and height of the buildings and no random placement will be allowed. The quality of the material from which the billboards will be made will be decided later, Shivakumar said.

He said the previous government’s public-private partnership (PPP) models would be protected if they were legal. Persons who do not comply with the regulations will be dismissed in accordance with the law. Advertising will be allowed in commercial areas depending on population density.

Entities that owe money to the government or have filed lawsuits will have no options. “Just as we settle all our dues before standing for election, the participants must settle all their dues here, too,” he noted. When asked about the pending court cases, Mr. Shivakumar said, “We cannot do anything until these cases are resolved. The rules were developed taking into account the court’s suggestions. While BMRCL will handle advertising in metros, a separate package for outdoor areas will be announced in collaboration with BBMP.”

When asked about the outstanding advertising revenue of around ₹ 600 crore, he assured that all dues would be collected and those in arrears would not be allowed to participate.