Guwahati Outdoor Advertisement Policy Guidelines yet to see Light of Day even after 7 Years

Modified Guwahati Outdoor Advertisement Policy, 2017

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The modified version of the Guwahati Outdoor Advertisement Policy Guidelines, 2017, is yet to see the light of day even after more than seven years of an order issued by the Gauhati High Court asking the state government to publish its final notification way back on May 7, 2018, within six weeks. With this order the high court disposed of the earlier PIL (4/2016).

However, it has come to light now that the Guwahati Outdoor Advertisement Policy Guidelines, 2017, were modified, but the modified guidelines have not been finalized as yet.

Earlier, the petitioner had approached this court by filing PIL/4/2016, alleging indiscriminate placement of hoardings and billboards on the streets and dividers of the Guwahati roads. A further stand was taken that there are no proper guidelines regarding the placement of hoardings and billboards in Guwahati.

 The present PIL (27/2025) has been filed alleging that despite the expiry of more than seven years, the State Government is yet to notify the final Policy Guidelines, 2017. Mr P. Nayak, learnt Additional Advocate General, Assam, appearing on behalf of the GMC and GMDA, now submitted that the said Guwahati Outdoor Advertisement Policy Guidelines, 2017, were subsequently modified. However, the said modified guidelines are yet to be finalized.

The bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice (acting) Lanusungkum Jamir and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak directed the Additional Advocate General to file a status report with regard to the modified version of the Guwahati Outdoor Advertisement Policy Guidelines, 2017.

 Also Read: Guwahati Municipal Corporation issues notice to advertising agencies

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