Infrastructure – Delhi Advertising Poles Raise Safety and Policy Concerns
Infrastructure – Walking through several parts of Delhi today, it is hard to miss the towering advertising structures lining major roads. These large poles, commonly known as unipoles, are often installed along footpaths, raising concerns about pedestrian safety and urban planning standards.
Policy Guidelines and Ground Reality
According to the Delhi Outdoor Advertising Policy 2017, installation of such structures on footpaths is strictly prohibited. The rules clearly state that large outdoor advertising units, including billboards and unipoles, must be placed at least three metres away from the edge of the footpath. This guideline is intended to ensure safe passage for pedestrians and to prevent interference with road traffic.
However, observations from multiple areas suggest that these regulations are not being followed consistently. Several unipoles have been found either directly on footpaths or positioned much closer to the road than permitted. This raises questions about enforcement and monitoring by the authorities responsible for approving such installations.
Approved Yet Non-Compliant Installations
Interestingly, many of these structures carry official approvals from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Despite this, their placement often does not align with the policy framework. During a recent inspection across different parts of the city, including areas near the Civic Centre on Minto Road, it was noted that although pedestrian movement was not always obstructed, the mandatory distance from the road was not maintained.
Given that these roads experience frequent and heavy traffic, the improper positioning of such large structures increases the risk of accidents and congestion.
Legal Challenge Highlights Policy Violations
The issue has now reached the judiciary. A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the civic body’s handling of outdoor advertising regulations. The plea argues that the implementation of the 2017 policy has been inadequate, despite earlier directions from the Supreme Court to enforce it without delay.
Filed by the Centre for Youth Culture Law and Environment (CYCLE), the petition draws attention to permissions granted for installations that are explicitly restricted under the policy. These include unipoles on footpaths and large advertising wraps on buildings, both of which can pose risks to public safety.
Accessibility and Safety Concerns
Members of the organisation behind the petition have highlighted the human impact of these violations. They argue that placing massive structures on footpaths creates serious obstacles, particularly for elderly individuals, children, and people with disabilities.
Such obstructions not only limit mobility but may also conflict with provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Ensuring accessible public spaces is a key requirement under the law, and any infrastructure that hinders movement can be seen as a violation of these rights.
Evidence from Across the City
Instances of non-compliance are not limited to a single area. Similar concerns have been reported in localities such as Rajinder Nagar, where unipoles have been installed in ways that restrict pedestrian space. In some cases, there have also been reports of these structures collapsing, leading to traffic disruptions and raising further safety alarms.
These incidents underline the importance of adhering strictly to placement guidelines and conducting regular safety checks.
Implementation Gaps Persist
While the Outdoor Advertising Policy provides a comprehensive framework for regulating advertisements in public spaces, its effectiveness depends largely on consistent enforcement. Current observations suggest a gap between policy and practice, with several approved installations failing to meet the required standards.
Addressing these issues will require stronger monitoring mechanisms, accountability in approvals, and a renewed focus on pedestrian safety and urban planning norms.
As Delhi continues to expand and modernise, ensuring that infrastructure development aligns with safety regulations remains crucial for maintaining an efficient and inclusive urban environment.