Why Is Greater Bengaluru Authority Filing Criminal Cases Over Illegal Advertisements?

The Greater Bengaluru Authority has intensified action against illegal advertisements and delayed civic works in the West Municipal Corporation limits, with Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao directing officials to file criminal cases against offenders and speed up key infrastructure projects.

Rao has set an April-end deadline for completing major road, footpath and drainage works that directly impact mobility and flooding in the West zone.

Crackdown on illegal hoardings and banners

The Chief Commissioner has ordered the immediate removal of all unauthorised hoardings and banners across the zone. Authorities will not only target individuals or agencies that install illegal advertisements but also those involved in designing or printing them within municipal limits.

Officials have been instructed to take strict legal action against repeat offenders. Fresh violations after the latest directive will lead to criminal proceedings, signalling a tougher enforcement approach to curb visual clutter and unauthorised displays in public spaces.

To streamline enforcement, the administration will nominate a dedicated officer from the legal cell responsible for registering criminal complaints related to illegal advertisements. This move is expected to prevent delays caused by procedural confusion between departments.

Civic complaints raised in Malleswaram meeting

The directions were issued during a public grievance meeting held at the Malleswaram IPP Centre on Thursday. Residents from the West zone highlighted multiple civic problems, including poor drainage, damaged footpaths, road conditions and governance issues.

The meeting was organised to gather direct feedback from citizens and address long-pending complaints. Officials from various civic departments attended the session and presented updates on ongoing projects.

During the discussion, Rao warned that illegal advertisements would not be tolerated, stressing that both advertisers and printers share responsibility for violating municipal rules.

Deadline for road, footpath and drainage works

Apart from the advertising crackdown, the Chief Commissioner also reviewed the progress of infrastructure projects under the Greater Bengaluru Authority.

Executive engineers were instructed to accelerate road asphalting, upgrade footpaths and dredge roadside drains across the West zone. These works are considered crucial for improving traffic flow, ensuring pedestrian safety and preventing waterlogging during heavy rainfall.

Rao directed that priority be given to arterial roads, sub-arterial roads and ward-level roads, which handle the majority of city traffic.

To ensure transparency and accountability, engineers must submit regular progress reports along with photographs of work sites. The administration will monitor these updates closely and intervene if delays occur.

Authorities say the strict deadline and legal action against illegal advertisements are part of a broader push to improve civic infrastructure and urban governance across Bengaluru.