Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has launched a mobile application on a pilot basis to streamline the booking and renewal process for advertisement hoarding licences across the city. The initiative is aimed at digitising the licensing system, improving transparency and strengthening monitoring of authorised hoardings through QR code-based verification.
The pilot launch marks a move towards simplifying administrative procedures and reducing manual processes associated with hoarding licence approvals.
App to simplify licence process
MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Naik said individuals seeking to book or renew licences for advertisement hoardings will be required to register on the application using their mobile numbers.
After logging into the app, users must provide details relating to the hoarding and complete payment of the required fees through the online system.
Following submission, the application is automatically linked to the concerned revenue inspector for further verification.
Officials stated that the digital process is intended to make applications more efficient while ensuring accurate verification of information before approval.
Revenue officials to verify hoardings on-site
According to the Commissioner, after receiving the application through the app, the assigned revenue inspector will conduct a field inspection.
During the visit, the official will measure the size of the hoarding and upload the relevant information into the system. Photographs of the location will also be uploaded along with geographical coordinates of the site.
The collected information will then be reviewed by the Assistant Revenue Officer before moving to the next stage of approval.
After verification at multiple levels, the Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) will provide final approval for the licence.
Authorities said the multi-layered process has been designed to ensure that all hoardings comply with regulations and that accurate records are maintained.
QR code to identify authorised hoardings
Once the application is approved, the licence certificate will be generated through the system.
The certificate will contain a QR code along with the validity period of the licence.
Ravichandra Naik stated that all licensed hoardings must prominently display the QR code. This would help officials identify whether a particular advertisement structure has valid permission from the corporation.
He added that hoardings without QR codes would be treated as unauthorised and action would be initiated to remove them.
The QR-based mechanism is expected to assist enforcement teams in identifying violations more quickly and maintaining updated records.
City has over 1,000 advertisement hoardings
The Commissioner said that there are currently 886 advertisement hoardings on private properties across the city and 198 located on government premises.
Among these, eight hoardings function as LED display screens.
During the 2025–26 financial year, the corporation collected ₹2.61 crore as revenue through advertisement hoarding licences.
The figures indicate the significant role advertisement infrastructure plays in generating municipal revenue while also highlighting the need for effective monitoring systems.
Official launch expected after trial phase
The Commissioner said the mobile application has been developed primarily to streamline licence issuance and renewal procedures.
The corporation has already started onboarding existing licence holders onto the system as part of the trial phase.
Officials stated that technical issues, if any, identified during the pilot phase would be resolved before the application is formally rolled out for public use.
Ravichandra Naik also said that the mobile application would soon be made available on Google Play for users.
The digital initiative is expected to improve efficiency while helping the corporation strengthen regulation and oversight of advertisement hoardings in the city.