A Policy on Roadside Advertisements (First Revision)

The Introduction of IRC 46 provides the historical publication and revision timeline of the code, indicating its first publication in 1953 and subsequent revisions and reprints up to 2016. It does not contain specific formulas, tables, or technical specifications. For detailed design formulas, tables, and specifications, refer to the relevant technical clauses of IRC 46. The Introduction mainly serves to contextualize the code's development and updates.

Sources: Clause None: 1. INTRODUCTION, Clause None: (First Revision), Clause None: [TABLE: Preamble]

Key specifications for Advertisement Control as per IRC 46 include:

• Definition (Clause 2.1): Advertisement means any word, sign, placard, board, or device used wholly or partly for advertisement, announcement, or direction.

• Permissible Advertisement Classes (Clause 3.3.1):

  • Class (1) Functional ads like official signs, direction signs to public amenities, defense notices, trespass warnings (max 0.2 sq.m), and direction signs to residences (max 0.2 sq.m).
  • Class (2) Ads related to premises identification or business, limited to 0.2 to 0.3 sq.m.
  • Class (3) Temporary ads such as sale/letting notices (max 2 sq.m), sale of goods/livestock (max 1.2 sq.m), building work notices (max 2 sq.m), and local event ads (max 0.6 sq.m).

• General Dimension Rule (Clause 4.1): Maximum permissible area = 0.3 sq.m per metre of setback from carriageway edge, except where specific limits apply.

• Example Limits:

  Advertisement Type	Max Area (sq.m)
  Religious/educational institution ads	1.2
  Sale or letting of land	2.0
  Sale of goods/livestock	1.2
  Building work notices	2.0
  Local event ads (non-commercial)	0.6
  Trespass restriction signs	0.2

These rules ensure advertisements are controlled in size and nature to maintain road safety and aesthetics.

Sources: Clause 1.2(c), Clause 3.3.1, Clause 4.1, Clause 2.1

The principles of advertisement control per IRC 46 include the following key points:

• Classes of permissible advertisements without express consent (Clause 3.3.1):

  1. Functional advertisements such as official signs, direction signs to public amenities, defense notices, and small property restriction signs (max 0.2 sq.m).
  2. Advertisements related to the premises displayed on, limited by area (0.2 to 1.2 sq.m depending on type).
  3. Temporary advertisements related to sale, building works, or local events with specified max areas (0.6 to 2 sq.m).

• Maximum permissible area (Clause 4.1):

  • General rule: max area = 0.3 sq.m per metre of setback from carriageway edge.

• Conditions for permits (Clause 3.1.1):

  • No advertisements within 100 m of junctions/bridges (50 m in urban areas).
  • Minimum setback of 10 m from carriageway edge.
  • No obstruction of traffic signs or pedestrian paths.
  • No advertisements resembling traffic control signs.
  • No hanging banners across roads.

These ensure safety, visibility, and local amenity preservation.

Sources: Clause 3.3.1, Clause 4.1, Clause 3.1.1

Key specifications for dimensions of advertisements per IRC 46 are as follows:

• The general maximum permissible area of advertisements is 0.3 sq. metre per metre of setback from the carriageway edge (Clause 4.1).

• Minimum setback from carriageway edge is 10 m, with area limited accordingly (Clause 3.1.1(3)).

• Specific maximum areas for various advertisement classes (Clause 1.2 and 3.3.1):

  • Religious, educational, cultural, medical institutions, hotels, hostels, etc.: max 1.2 sq. metre per premises.
  • Sale or letting of land: max 2 sq. metre.
  • Sale of goods or livestock: max 1.2 sq. metre.
  • Building works: max 2 sq. metre.
  • Local non-commercial events: max 0.6 sq. metre.
  • Functional signs (e.g., official warnings, directions): generally max 0.2 sq. metre.
  • Identification or business ads on premises: max 0.2 to 0.3 sq. metre.

• Advertisements are not permitted within 100 m of junctions (50 m in urban areas) and must not obstruct traffic visibility or control signs (Clause 3.1.1).

These rules ensure safety and visibility while allowing reasonable advertisement sizes based on location and purpose.

Sources: Clause 1.2, Clause 3.1.1, Clause 3.3.1, Clause 4.1

As per IRC 46 Clause 5.1, the key conditions attached to permits for advertisements on roads include:

• The advertisement must be maintained in a clean, tidy, and safe condition.
• It must be removed immediately if the Road Authority requires.
• It should not obscure or hinder the interpretation of any road traffic sign, railway signal, or public notice.
• The advertisement must not offend public morals and decency.
• Granting permission does not exempt compliance with other laws or bye-laws related to buildings, roads, or other regulations.

Additionally, Clause 4.1 specifies that the maximum permissible area of advertisements is 0.3 sq. metre per metre of setback from the carriageway edge, except where Clause 3.1.1 specifies otherwise.

These conditions ensure safety, clarity, and legal compliance for roadside advertisements.

Sources: Clause 4.1, Clause 5.1

The classification of advertisements as per IRC 46 is as follows:

Class (I) Functional Advertisements (Clause 3.3.1):

• Official warning signs, traffic directions, notices by public officers.
• Direction signs to public amenities (petrol stations, hospitals, police, fire stations).
• Signs related to cities, towns, historic places, tourist spots.
• Defence Department signs.
• Property trespass restriction signs (max 0.2 sq.m).
• Direction signs to residences/businesses (max 0.2 sq.m).

Class (2) Advertisements Relating to Premises:

• Identification/direction/warning signs on land/building (max 0.2 sq.m).
• Advertisements for persons/businesses at premises (one sign max 0.3 sq.m per entity).
• Institutional or commercial premises signs (one sign max 1.2 sq.m) (Clause 1.2(c)).

Class (3) Temporary Advertisements:

• Sale/letting of land (one sign max 2 sq.m).
• Sale of goods/livestock (one sign max 1.2 sq.m).
• Building works (max 2 sq.m).
• Local non-commercial events (max 0.6 sq.m).

General Specifications (Clause 3.1.1):

• No advertisements within 100 m of junctions (50 m in urban areas).
• Minimum 10 m setback from carriageway edge; max 0.3 sq.m per metre setback.
• No obstruction to traffic signs or pedestrian paths.
• No banners across roads.

These rules ensure safety and local amenity preservation.

Sources: Clause 3.3.1, Clause 1.2(c), Clause 3.1.1, Clause 2.1

Key safety and visibility considerations for advertisements as per IRC 46 include:

• Prohibited Illuminated Advertisements (Clause 3.1.2):

  • No flashing, intermittent, or moving lights except public service info (time, temperature, weather, date).
  • No intense or glaring illumination that impairs driver or pedestrian vision.
  • No illumination that obscures official traffic signs or signals.

• Location Restrictions (Clause 3.1.1):

  • Not allowed within 100 m of junctions, bridges, or crossings (50 m in urban areas if no conflict).
  • Minimum 10 m setback from carriageway edge; max area = 0.3 sq.m per metre of setback (Clause 4.1).
  • Not within 50 m of official traffic regulation sign boards.
  • Must not obstruct visibility of traffic or pedestrians, nor mimic traffic signs.
  • Not allowed across roads or within road right-of-way.

• Area Control (Clause 4.1):

  • Maximum permissible advertisement area = 0.3 sq.m per metre of setback from carriageway edge.

These rules ensure advertisements do not distract or impair driver visibility or traffic control effectiveness.

Sources: Clause 3.1.1, Clause 3.1.2, Clause 4.1

The key considerations for impact on local amenity per IRC 46 focus on controlling commercial advertisements to preserve aesthetics and public interest. As per Clause 3.2.1, advertisements should be strictly controlled in residential areas or where natural scenery or public improvements might be depreciated. Clause 1.4 states that advertisements becoming an eyesore or injurious to amenity can be prohibited as they interfere with public rights. Clause 2.3 emphasizes applying principles before granting consent for advertisements on road lands or adjoining structures, ensuring they do not destroy amenity or endanger public safety. No specific formulas or tables are provided in the retrieved context; the focus is on qualitative control principles to protect local amenity.

Sources: Clause 3.2.1, Clause 1.4, Clause 2.3

Key illumination and lighting restrictions for advertisements per IRC 46 are as follows:

• No flashing, intermittent, or moving lights except for public service info like time, temperature, weather, or date (Clause 3.1.2(a)).
• Intensity must not cause glare or impair driver/pedestrian vision or interfere with driving operations (Clause 3.1.2(b)).
• Illumination must not obscure or reduce effectiveness of official traffic signs or signals (Clause 3.1.2(c)).

Additional specifications include:

• Maximum advertisement area = 0.3 sq.m per metre of setback from carriageway edge (Clause 4.1).
• Minimum setback from carriageway edge = 10 m (Clause 3.1.1(3)).
• No advertisements within 100 m of junctions, bridges, or crossings (50 m in urban areas if no conflict) (Clause 3.1.1(1)).
• No advertisements within 50 m of official traffic regulation signboards (Clause 3.1.1(4)).

These rules ensure safety by controlling illumination and placement to avoid driver distraction and maintain traffic sign visibility.

Sources: Clause 3.1.2, Clause 4.1, Clause 3.1.1

As per IRC 46, Clause 3.3, relaxations are provided but specific formulas or detailed tables for relaxations and exceptions are not explicitly stated in the retrieved context. Clause 4.1 specifies a general rule for maximum permissible advertisement area as 0.3 sq. metre per metre of setback from the carriageway edge, except where Clause 3.1.1 applies. No further detailed specifications or formulas for relaxations and exceptions are provided in the retrieved text.

Sources: Clause 3.3, Clause 4.1

Key specifications for Maintenance and Enforcement under IRC 46 include conditions attached to permits for advertisements on roads as per Clause 5.1: (1) Advertisements must be maintained in a clean, tidy, and safe condition; (2) They must be removed immediately if the Road Authority requires; (3) They must not obscure or hinder interpretation of any road traffic signs or signals; (4) They must not offend public morals and decency; (5) Permission does not exempt compliance with other laws or bye-laws. Additionally, the maximum permissible advertisement area is limited to 0.3 sq. metre per metre of setback from the carriageway edge as per Clause 4.1. These rules ensure safety, clarity, and legal compliance in advertisement maintenance and enforcement.

Sources: Clause 4.1, Clause 5.1

The IRC 46 standard was first published in 1953. It underwent its first revision in November 1972, primarily to convert the specifications into the metric system and incorporate feedback from various agencies such as State Public Works Departments, Municipalities, and the Indian Standards Institution, as per Clause 1.6. The revision process included committee meetings in 1966 and 1967, with final approval in September and November 1972. Subsequent reprints occurred in April 1979, March 1992, December 2001, August 2005, September 2008, and March 2016. This revision also incorporated different foreign practices to update the policy. The historical timeline is summarized in the following table:

Sources: Clause 1.6, Preamble Table