Karnataka to notify new advertisement policy for Bengaluru soon

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Friday said that it would publish draft notification of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s new advertisement policy within a week and the final notification will be issued at the earliest after scrutinising objections and suggestions.

The government made its submission before the High Court’ division bench, headed by Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, that is monitoring the case of illegal advertisement flexes, banners and hoardings within BBMP's limits. The city municipal council had passed a resolution on August 28 banning public display of banners, flexes, posters and hoardings of any nature in the city. The policy was then sent to the government for its approval.

Acting at the court’s directions, the BBMP said that it has almost completed the illegal advertisement removal drive. The number of illegal hoardings in the city now stands at 2,160. Advocates appearing for the government said that the municipal body has received 1,631 applications from advertisers objecting to the removal of hoardings. The BBMP claims to have disposed all applications.


Since the High Court had directed the police and the BBMP to take stern action against law violators, the police department submitted before the court that they have filed 234 first information reports in last three weeks of which inquiry has been completed in 228 cases. The cases are now pending before the lower courts for orders.

Even as the division bench posted the case for next hearing on September 11, advertising agencies have approached the HC questioning the BBMP’s decision to ban flex, banners and hoardings in Bengaluru. The single bench has posted the hearing for September 4.