BMC's Ad revenue surges by 48.74%, reaching Rs 235 crore

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced a significant increase in revenue from advertising and hoarding fees for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Revenue soared by 48.74%, reaching ₹234.783 crore, up from ₹157.8492 crore in 2023-24. This substantial growth was highlighted by BMC Chief Bhushan Gagrani during his budget presentation, where he also unveiled plans for a new advertising policy.

While the License Department's overall revenue estimate was revised down, advertising revenue proved a bright spot. Key highlights include:
1. Hoarding Fees: ₹190 crore collected in 2024-25, compared to ₹109.9559 crore in 2023-24.
2. lluminated Advertisements (Skysigns): ₹30 crore generated from license fees through e-auction/tender.
3. Glow/Neon Signboards: ₹42 crore collected in license fees, a significant jump from ₹59.5206 crore in 2023-24. Projected revenue for 2025-26 is ₹77 crore.
4. MMRDA & MSRDC Sites: Advertising hoarding fees from these sites generated ₹1.65 crore, up from ₹56.79 lakh in 2022-23.
5. Despite the overall increase, some areas saw a decline:
6. Registered Persons: Advertising hoarding fees from registered persons decreased to ₹1.1 crore, down from ₹5.2922 crore in 2023-24.
7. BMC Property Rentals: ₹3.3 lakh earned from renting BMC properties for advertising, slightly down from ₹3.32 lakh in 2023-24.

The BMC's total budget estimate for 2025-26 is ₹74,427.41 crore, a 14.19% increase from the 2024-25 budget.
New Advertising Policy on the Horizon
Following a tragic hoarding collapse in Ghatkopar earlier this year, the BMC is set to unveil a new advertising policy. The policy aims to decongest Mumbai's skyline and address safety concerns. A draft policy was released in August 2024, and public feedback was solicited. Chief Gagrani emphasized the importance of this new policy during his budget address.