Mohali's Dangerous Hoardings Defy High Court Directives, Threaten Public Safety
In a shocking display of disregard for judicial authority and public welfare, numerous oversized advertising hoardings have emerged perilously close to traffic signals throughout Mohali, directly violating explicit Punjab and Haryana High Court orders. These installations, which include newly erected marriage promotion boards, are creating severe road safety hazards at busy intersections, raising urgent questions about enforcement by civic authorities and municipal corporations.
Clear Court Mandate Ignored on the Ground
The High Court had specifically prohibited the installation of any advertisement hoarding within a strict 50-metre radius of traffic signals, citing undeniable risks to public safety and smooth traffic flow. However, comprehensive ground reports reveal multiple flagrant violations at critical intersections where these massive boards aggressively compete for drivers' attention during crucial decision-making moments on the road.
Road safety experts have issued stern warnings that such visual clutter and distraction near traffic signals significantly elevates the risk of collisions and accidents. Drivers approaching intersections require focused attention on signal changes, pedestrian movements, and merging traffic patterns. Instead, their concentration is dangerously diverted by bright, elevated commercial displays that are specifically engineered to capture and hold the human eye.
Municipal Response and Widespread Violations
Mohali Municipal Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh acknowledged the issue, stating that the matter would be thoroughly examined. "We are already acting strictly against illegal encroachments on berms outside houses following High Court orders. We will get this violation verified and take appropriate action," he stated in an official response.
The illegal advertising structures are not confined to Mohali alone. Similar hazardous hoardings, unipoles, and banners have been spotted along major stretches in neighboring areas including Zirakpur, Kharar, and connecting highways such as the Banur-Zirakpur Road and Lalru-Zirakpur-Kalka Road. These installations blatantly violate the Punjab Municipal Outdoor Advertisement Policy 2018, which strictly regulates size specifications, placement parameters, and mandatory safety clearances for all outdoor advertisements.
Weak Enforcement Despite Clear Policy Prohibitions
Despite the policy's explicit prohibition of displays near traffic control points and intersections, on-ground enforcement appears remarkably weak and inconsistent. Several hoardings stand directly within drivers' primary line of sight at critical intersections—precisely the dangerous scenario that the regulations were specifically framed to prevent and eliminate.
The matter has already reached the judiciary through formal legal channels. In 2025, a local advocate filed a comprehensive Public Interest Litigation highlighting the rampant mushrooming of illegal hoardings and unipoles, particularly within Mohali and Zirakpur's municipal limits. The petition described these sites as "clear traffic hazards" and sought immediate removal actions, along with financial recovery from responsible parties, suggesting that recovered funds be allocated for public welfare initiatives.
Judicial Proceedings and Ongoing Challenges
Following related contempt proceedings, the Mohali Deputy Commissioner submitted a detailed affidavit to the High Court in August 2025 outlining steps taken to remove illegal hoardings and unauthorized parking near sensitive zones including Airport Road and popular shopping malls. The Court further directed top officials, including the Director General of Police and Municipal Commissioners, to ensure systematic removal of hazardous structures, warning of personal liability and possible prosecution for negligence in duty.
Yet, months after these judicial interventions, the ground reality suggests that illegal advertising displays continue to reappear or remain untouched at multiple locations, indicating systemic enforcement failures.
Traffic Police Concerns and Safety Implications
Traffic police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that large hoardings positioned near signals substantially reduce reaction time for drivers, particularly during nighttime conditions or periods of poor visibility. With Mohali's traffic density rising rapidly due to urban expansion, even momentary distraction at a signal can potentially result in catastrophic multi-vehicle crashes, emphasized a senior police officer familiar with traffic management challenges.
Until authorities implement sustained removal drives and monitoring mechanisms rather than sporadic one-time actions, Mohali's intersections risk remaining persistent advertising hotspots—and consequently, potential accident zones that compromise citizen safety daily.
TOI Impact: Positive Action on Pedestrian Safety
In a positive development demonstrating responsive governance, the Mohali administration acted swiftly after the issue was highlighted in media reports, removing an advertising hoarding that was obstructing a pedestrian walkway in the city. The structure had forced pedestrians to step onto busy roads, posing serious accident risks especially during peak traffic hours.
Residents had raised significant concerns about public safety and accessibility, noting that the obstruction particularly affected vulnerable groups including elderly citizens, young children, and persons with disabilities. Following the report, municipal officials conducted immediate inspections and cleared the encroachment, restoring safe pedestrian passage and reaffirming the administration's stated commitment to pedestrian safety and urban livability.
