NEW DELHI: In a major crackdown on visual pollution and public property defacement, the Delhi government has announced that anyone pasting posters or advertisements on Delhi Metro pillars will now face an FIR, marking one of the strongest enforcement measures under the city’s ongoing cleanliness drive.
The move comes as part of the Rachna Government’s intensified campaign to keep Metro infrastructure clean amid rising concerns over pollution and civic disorder. Although most posters pasted on pillars are promotional or commercial advertisements, officials said they create visual clutter, increase filth and degrade the look of India’s busiest metro system.
Why the strict action now?
Delhi Metro ferries millions of passengers daily and operates both underground and elevated corridors. The pillars along these elevated routes are often plastered with illegal advertisements, promo posters and unregulated marketing banners.
Images circulating on social media show multiple pillars covered with layers of posters — an issue now directly targeted under the government’s anti-defacement policy.
Government orders FIR under the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007
Officials have confirmed that:
- FIRs will be filed against anyone found pasting posters on Metro pillars or DMRC property.
- The action will be taken under the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 2007, which carries:
• Up to 1 year of imprisonment,
• A fine,
• Or both.
The Chief Security Commissioner of DMRC, Sushish Chaudhary, has formally written to Delhi Police, instructing officers to register FIRs based on complaints forwarded by DMRC.
The order aims to ensure that Metro infrastructure remains clean, safe and visually unobstructed.
Rekha Gupta’s directive to party leaders
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has also instructed party leaders and volunteers not to paste posters anywhere in the city — especially not posters carrying political images. Anyone violating this will face action, officials said.
Cleanliness + Pollution Control
The government believes that:
- Removing posters reduces dust accumulation,
- Helps maintain cleaner surroundings,
- And supports the larger war against the rising Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi.
Metro pillars plastered with paper and glue not only look shabby but also worsen dust pollution, which is already pushing Delhi into the “severe” AQI category.
Public advisory
Authorities have urged citizens and businesses to avoid pasting any form of advertising on Metro property, warning that strict enforcement will follow.
The crackdown signals a strong message:
Delhi will no longer tolerate public property defacement — whether for advertising, promotion, or political campaigning.
