Municipal Action – In the run-up to the upcoming India AI-Impact Summit, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has intensified efforts to reclaim public spaces by dismantling hundreds of illegal advertisements across the city. According to official records, nearly 380 unauthorised banners, hoardings, and pole-mounted kiosks were removed as part of a focused enforcement campaign conducted over the past several weeks.
The clearance operation was carried out between January 1 and early February, covering multiple civic zones. An action taken report released by officials confirmed that 379 unauthorised structures were dismantled during this period. These included political and religious display boards, commercial banners, hoardings, and sunpack sheets installed without approval.
Civic authorities stated that the initiative was part of an ongoing effort to ensure cleaner public spaces and to enforce existing municipal regulations. The timing of the drive, just ahead of the India AI-Impact Summit, reflects a broader push to improve the city’s visual landscape before the high-profile event.
Among all zones, Karol Bagh recorded the maximum number of violations addressed during the campaign. A total of 87 unauthorised installations were removed across four separate drives conducted on January 5, January 12, January 20, and February 9. Officials noted that repeated inspections were necessary in the area due to the recurring appearance of illegal displays.
The Central zone followed with 38 removals, including 31 cleared in a single operation on January 10. Authorities said coordinated action teams were deployed to identify and dismantle structures that had been installed without civic approval.
The drive extended beyond central districts. In Rohini, enforcement teams removed 45 unauthorised structures in two phases. Keshav Puram reported 41 removals, while Narela saw 36 illegal installations taken down over two days of action.
Shahdara South and Shahdara North together accounted for 53 removals during the campaign. In the West zone, 41 structures were dismantled over the course of three separate drives. Meanwhile, the City SP and Civil Lines zones recorded 20 and 18 removals respectively, according to the official data.
Civic officials explained that many of the removed installations had been erected on utility poles, public walls, and road-facing areas, creating visual clutter and, in some cases, obstructing public pathways.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has periodically undertaken similar drives in the past, but officials indicated that this round of action was particularly extensive. They reiterated that prior permissions are mandatory for any form of outdoor advertising, and violations attract removal and possible penalties under municipal rules.
Authorities also stated that routine monitoring will continue in the coming months to prevent the reinstallation of unauthorised boards and banners. Teams have been instructed to conduct surprise inspections in areas that previously reported high numbers of violations.
With the India AI-Impact Summit approaching, civic bodies appear determined to present a more orderly urban environment. While the campaign was not limited to preparations for the event, officials acknowledged that the upcoming summit added urgency to the clean-up efforts.
The enforcement data suggests that illegal advertising remains a widespread issue across multiple districts of the capital. However, the recent action signals a renewed administrative focus on maintaining regulatory compliance and improving the city’s public spaces through systematic monitoring and removal drives.
