India, Aug. 2 -- More than two years after the fatal Ghatkopar hoarding collapse in Mumbai triggered a statewide crackdown on illegal billboards, unauthorised hoardings continue to appear at Hinjewadi Chowk despite repeated demolition drives by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). The persistence of such structures has raised questions over enforcement and the authority's ability to prevent their recurrence.

Following the May 13, 2024 Ghatkopar tragedy that claimed 17 persons and injured 80, the Pune district administration directed PMRDA and other civic agencies to inspect illegal hoardings within their jurisdictions. PMRDA's survey identified 1,057 unauthorised hoardings, including 132 oversized and potentially h...