GCC Launches Drive to Enumerate and Regulate Illegal Hoardings in Chennai
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has launched a city-wide drive to enumerate and regulate illegal hoardings and banners, focusing on safety concerns and revenue generation. Following a meeting on Tuesday, Corporation Commissioner G.S. Sameeran ordered municipal officials to identify unauthorized advertisements, particularly targeting highly congested stretches such as Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, running from the Koyambedu grade separator towards VR Mall and Thirumangalam.
The civic body's initiative aims to address safety hazards while simultaneously identifying suitable buildings for authorized advertising to boost municipal revenue through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Safety concerns regarding unauthorized hoardings have been growing. GCC Ward 104 councillor T.V. Shemmozhi pointed out that the stretch of Jawaharlal Nehru Salai has seen a significant spike in illegal structures. While the GCC had originally granted permission for only four hoardings along this route, the number of active installations has risen to 12.
Shemmozhi highlighted the structural risks these advertisements pose to buildings, particularly during the northeast monsoon and potential cyclones. He noted that in one instance, three massive hoardings were installed on a single building, posing a severe collapse risk to passing motorists. He urged the GCC to rigorously check the stability of such buildings.
A senior GCC official stated that there are currently 912 authorized hoardings across Chennai. However, an October 2025 survey conducted by ITCOT identified 329 unauthorized hoardings that were installed without permission, some of which were placed in unapproved locations.
Despite instructions to zonal officers to remove these illegal structures, only 25 have been dismantled over the past few months. Zonal officers reported that identifying illegal hoardings remains a major challenge. To counter this, the GCC is planning to implement a technological solution, which includes issuing QR code-based identification for all authorized hoardings.
Regarding banners, the official noted that they are not permitted within the city. However, coordinators of religious and political events frequently erect them. The GCC regularly removes banners that block traffic flow or are placed in hazardous spots, and continues to impose penalties on the organizers responsible.
