Corporation to take severe action against illegal banners

The Corporation, in a release, also stated that hoardings cannot be constructed without permission, even in a private building. Advocate Arthi SP, who has filed petitions against illegal hoardings in the city, said, “Laws have always been there, but implementation is a problem. Unless it is enforced, it is just another law. I hope that the authorities don’t go into a ‘sleep’ mode after a short period of enforcing this law.”

Tracing the fight against illegal hoardings, Arthi said, “The regulations were introduced in 1998, when the city was cleaned up of its hoardings. But today, inside the Government Eco Park or the Tirusulam Railway station, hoardings of humungous sizes are allowed to be constructed in government buildings by the authorities. 

The hoardings have become fancier and continue to cause distraction. There is also a safety element as buildings are not always stable. In fact, the court had declared the entire stretch between Kathipara to the Airport as a no-hoarding zone but recently too, this was violated. We need stricter enforcement.”

Illegal banners, especially political ones, have become a huge problem in the city, occupying pedestrian footpaths and causing traffic disruptions. Several activists in the city have complained to the Corporation about this but to no avail. 

Madras High Court has also ruled that these banners and hoardings are illegal. Activists had earlier told this newspaper that permission can be given only if the banner is parallel to the road and does not obstruct the footpath. There should be 10m distance between each banner, which cannot be erected at junctions.