Gurgaon: The MCG removed 22 illegally installed advertising unipoles during a two-day overnight enforcement drive along Dwarka Expressway and in Sector 66. Teams carried out simultaneous late-night action at the two locations to avoid traffic disruption and dismantled the structures using heavy machinery. The drive targeted advertisement installations put up without prior permission from the civic body.
According to municipal data, advertisement fees have generated Rs 85.41 crore in revenue so far in the 2025–26 financial year, against a target of Rs 90 crore. Officials said unauthorised poles pose safety risks and affect urban aesthetics, adding that similar enforcement drives will continue across the city. The corporation warned advertisers to verify whether display sites are officially approved before installing promotional material, noting that violations can attract penalties, including recovery of up to three times the applicable fee. Municipal commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said, “Structures installed without authorisation are illegal and subject to fines and other action under the advertisement byelaws. I urge residents and advertisers to comply with regulations and check approved advertising locations on the corporation’s official website.” In March last year, the civic body constituted a committee to oversee the assessment, auction and documentation process for disposal of abandoned unipoles. The revenue from such auctions is credited to the corporation’s advertising revenue. The move followed challenges faced by the MCG in handling unclaimed and dismantled advertisement structures left behind after enforcement action. As per norms, prior permission from the MCG is mandatory for erecting unipoles and displaying advertisements anywhere in the city. Reiterating that the crackdown will continue, Dahiya said, “Before displaying advertisements, ensure whether the said site has approval or not. This is the advertiser’s responsibility. Information about sites approved by MCG is uploaded on the MCG website.”
