<p>Bengaluru: The BBMP’s big bet on outdoor advertising to fill its coffers has hit a wall.</p>.<p>Despite eyeing Rs 500 crore from advertisement rights in its 2024–25 budget, the civic body ended the financial year with a grand total of zero.</p>.<p>Reason: The new advertisement policy, designed to open up the sector, is still caught up in a case pending before the High Court of Karnataka.</p>.<p>Modelled along the lines of Delhi’s ad policy, the BBMP’s new framework was meant to replace the 2018 Outdoor Signage and Public Messaging Byelaws, which had placed a near-blanket ban on commercial hoardings in Bengaluru. However, that ban had a loophole — advertisers could put up signage if it came bundled with public infrastructure like bus shelters or public toilets. This provision was exploited.</p>.BBMP to approve 'single plot' without BDA's green light.<p>The new policy — drafted in November 2023 — sought to bring transparency, end monopoly, and generate fresh revenue for the fund-starved BBMP. The civic body even upped its target to Rs 750 crore in the latest budget, hoping advertising would become a reliable second stream of income alongside property tax.</p>.<p>With the policy still under judicial scrutiny, revenue hopes are in limbo.</p>.<p>BBMP Special Commissioner (Revenue) Munish Moudgil said that the civic body was planning to request the high court to de-link the new policy from the 2017 case. “Until it’s notified, we will be losing crores in revenue,” he added.</p>.<p>It’s not just the BBMP feeling the pinch. Namma Metro’s plans to place advertisements on pillars and outside stations are also stuck. It had set a target of earning in crores, as the government agency is under pressure to increase its non-fare revenue share, given its rising borrowings.</p>.BBMP extends deadline for social welfare schemes to May 2 .<p>The outdoor advertising industry is equally frustrated. “The delay is hurting everyone — civic agencies, advertisers, and even the public,” said Manmohan Singh, secretary of the association in Bengaluru, expressing dissatisfaction over the delay.</p>.<p>“Advertising is an important stream of revenue for government entities. In the absence of a new policy, the PPP-based advertisements will continue to enjoy monopoly — even while violating norms and avoiding payment of fees and taxes to the tune of Rs 500 crore,” <br />he said.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: The BBMP’s big bet on outdoor advertising to fill its coffers has hit a wall.</p>.<p>Despite eyeing Rs 500 crore from advertisement rights in its 2024–25 budget, the civic body ended the financial year with a grand total of zero.</p>.<p>Reason: The new advertisement policy, designed to open up the sector, is still caught up in a case pending before the High Court of Karnataka.</p>.<p>Modelled along the lines of Delhi’s ad policy, the BBMP’s new framework was meant to replace the 2018 Outdoor Signage and Public Messaging Byelaws, which had placed a near-blanket ban on commercial hoardings in Bengaluru. However, that ban had a loophole — advertisers could put up signage if it came bundled with public infrastructure like bus shelters or public toilets. This provision was exploited.</p>.BBMP to approve 'single plot' without BDA's green light.<p>The new policy — drafted in November 2023 — sought to bring transparency, end monopoly, and generate fresh revenue for the fund-starved BBMP. The civic body even upped its target to Rs 750 crore in the latest budget, hoping advertising would become a reliable second stream of income alongside property tax.</p>.<p>With the policy still under judicial scrutiny, revenue hopes are in limbo.</p>.<p>BBMP Special Commissioner (Revenue) Munish Moudgil said that the civic body was planning to request the high court to de-link the new policy from the 2017 case. “Until it’s notified, we will be losing crores in revenue,” he added.</p>.<p>It’s not just the BBMP feeling the pinch. Namma Metro’s plans to place advertisements on pillars and outside stations are also stuck. It had set a target of earning in crores, as the government agency is under pressure to increase its non-fare revenue share, given its rising borrowings.</p>.BBMP extends deadline for social welfare schemes to May 2 .<p>The outdoor advertising industry is equally frustrated. “The delay is hurting everyone — civic agencies, advertisers, and even the public,” said Manmohan Singh, secretary of the association in Bengaluru, expressing dissatisfaction over the delay.</p>.<p>“Advertising is an important stream of revenue for government entities. In the absence of a new policy, the PPP-based advertisements will continue to enjoy monopoly — even while violating norms and avoiding payment of fees and taxes to the tune of Rs 500 crore,” <br />he said.</p>