On June 4 a large advertising billboard of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) gave way near Chenab Toll Plaza in Gujrat during strong winds, falling onto passing vehicles and damaging three cars. Officials confirmed there were no injuries.
District administration teams responded immediately after receiving reports and directed the company to compensate the affected motorists in full. Under the supervision of the district administration, compensation cheques were issued to the vehicle owners identified as Umar Butt of Gujrat, Khawar Rahat of Sialkot and Farooq Haider of Lala Musa.
An official inquiry found that while the building plan for the CBTL outlet had been approved, the advertising structure had been erected within the National Highway Authority jurisdiction without the required no-objection certificate. The probe concluded the billboard contravened rules governing outdoor advertising along the national highway and classified it as an illegal billboard that posed a risk to public safety.
Following the findings, the District Council Gujrat imposed a penalty on the company under the Punjab Local Government Act 2025 and removed another CBTL billboard found to be installed illegally. Authorities said further action will continue against unauthorised advertising structures to prevent similar incidents on busy roadways.
The incident highlights the danger of illegal billboard installations, and officials urged all businesses and commercial operators to secure mandatory approvals before installing billboards and other outdoor advertising. The administration confirmed the damaged vehicle owners have received compensation and reiterated that compliance with NHA regulations and road safety remain priorities.
