Nagpur: Nearly 9 years after outdoor advertisement licence fees were fixed in 2017, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) revived its long-pending revision proposal, this time with steep hikes ranging from 100% to 688% across categories. Municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari cleared the proposal, under which gantry advertisement rates will see the sharpest jump of nearly 688%, non-illuminated hoardings 291%, illuminated sky-signs 108%, and LED/screen displays 100%. The revised rates are likely to come into effect from April 1, 2026, subject to approvals. An earlier attempt in 2023-24 to increase advertisement fees, reportedly up to 6 times, was stayed following objections from the ruling BJP and representations made to senior BJP leader and then deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The civic body was directed to continue charging the 2017 rates. During the administrator rule, when the elected general body was dissolved and the commissioner held full powers, NMC had the authority to decisively revise the fees or seek revocation of the stay. However, the administration opted for a cautious approach and retained the old structure. Sources said the civic body “played safe” rather than pushing for a permanent resolution at the state level. Under the fresh proposal, non-illuminated hoardings and wall-post sky-signs are proposed to rise from Rs22 to Rs86 per sq metre per month. Fixed illuminated sky-signs will increase from Rs62.50 to Rs130. Gantry gate advertisements will surge from Rs33 to Rs260 per sq metre, while LED, neon and screen-based displays will double from Rs176 to Rs352 per sq metre. The issue also saw legal complications after observations by the Bombay high court’s Nagpur bench in a public interest litigation. Subsequent withdrawal of tenders restricted hoardings to 43 approved sites, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of Rs5.05 crore.
