The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued formal notice to the state government and the Indore Municipal Corporation in response to a public interest litigation challenging the proliferation of unauthorized hoardings and unipoles across city thoroughfares. A Division Bench presided over by Chief Justice Alpesh Yeshvant Kogje and Justice Vinay Saraf directed the civic authorities to respond to allegations that numerous advertising structures have been installed in direct violation of the Madhya Pradesh Outdoor Advertisement Media Rules, 2017.

The petition, filed by two practicing advocates, highlights a significant threat to public safety, noting that these structures are frequently placed on road dividers, medians, and pedestrian walkways. According to the petitioners, approximately 58 unipoles are currently obstructing road medians, while an additional 45 have been erected on pedestrian footpaths. The legal challenge underscores the urgency of the matter by pointing to a recent incident where an allegedly illegal hoarding panel collapsed at Patnipura Square on September 24, 2026, causing injuries to a member of the public and disrupting traffic flow for commuters.

During the proceedings, the court observed the necessity for strict compliance with established safety standards. The bench directed the petitioners to pay the required process fees within seven working days, with the court stipulating that the resulting notices be made returnable within a three-week timeframe. The court further emphasized that the civic authorities must demonstrate accountability regarding both the current status of these installations and the revenue generated from them.

Judicial Oversight of Municipal Compliance

This latest intervention follows a previous judicial directive from May 5, 2026, issued in an earlier petition, which had mandated that the Indore Municipal Corporation establish a dedicated committee to audit the legality of hoardings. That committee, which included 22 Zonal Officers, 22 Additional Revenue Inspectors, and various staff members from the Market Department, was tasked with monitoring installations in accordance with the 2017 regulatory framework.

The High Court has now specifically instructed the respondents to submit a comprehensive report detailing the actions taken since those initial directions. The bench noted: "Therefore, on the returnable date, the respondents shall submit with regards to the action taken in pursuant to the aforesaid direction. Moreover, will also verify the breaches of rule in installation of Unipoles on the road divider as well as pedestrian footpath walkway in the city of Indore as produced in Annexure P/2 and Annexure P/3."

Addressing Public Safety Risks

The petitioners contend that the current density of these hoardings at traffic junctions and sensitive zones constitutes a public nuisance and a significant safety hazard. By placing heavy metal unipoles on pathways intended for pedestrians, the municipal body is accused of prioritizing advertising revenue over the fundamental safety of the city's residents.

The scope of the petition is broad, seeking not only the immediate removal of these structures but also an independent inquiry into the revenue collection practices of the Indore Municipal Corporation regarding these advertisements. Furthermore, the petitioners have requested interim relief to prevent the municipal authorities from granting any new permits for unipoles on sensitive infrastructure such as medians and footpaths until the matter is fully adjudicated.

The proceedings represent a mounting pressure on local urban bodies to adhere to structural safety protocols. As the case progresses, the court’s demand for the verification of specific breaches—documented by the petitioners as photographic and factual evidence in their submission—signals that the administration will be held to a rigorous standard of oversight.

Advocate Abhinav Dhanodkar, representing the petitioners, reiterated the need for immediate action to prevent further structural collapses, especially in high-traffic zones. The government side was represented by Government Advocate Pradyumna Kibe, while Advocate Shashank Shrivastava appeared on behalf of the municipal corporation. The court has set the stage for a detailed review of the administration's past compliance efforts, with the expectation that the authorities will present a clear plan for the systematic removal of non-compliant advertising infrastructure across Indore when the matter is heard again in three weeks.