Surat MC sets ambitious target of Rs 100 cr ad tax revenues

Pegging big on OOH, the corporation plans to build various advertising destinations in the city and decides to go strict on illegal sites which aren’t generating revenue for the civic body

After Punjab & Pune, Surat Municipal Corporation is the next in line to raise the benchmark for earning ad tax revenues. The civic body has set sights on raising the ad tax revenues from Rs 10 crore per annum to Rs 100 crore in the year of 2018-19 through various means which pegs big on OOH media. And to make this possible, the corporation plans to install new advertising destinations saving expenditure by letting some facilities to private partners in the city along with proper implementation of bylaws to stop illegal sites.

SMC plans to set up number of advertisement kiosks, at foot over-bridges, city and BRT buses, bus stops and pick up stands. The civic body officials feel that checking on illegal hoardings and other forms of illegal advertisements would help double advertisement revenue and add new spots for putting up advertisements in the next financial year.