Madras HC directs removal of unauthorised hoardings put up for MGR centenary event

A special bench of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad also directed officials to ensure penal action against those who put up the banners in violation of rules.

The bench passed the interim order on a PIL by social activist “Traffic” KR Ramasamy, who sought stringent action against all those who erected unauthorised banners and flex boards across the city in view of the grand centenary celebrations. The petition was taken up for hearing on an urgent basis earlier in the day as instructed by Chief Justice V K Tahilramani. 

The government counsel  submitted permission was granted to put up over 400 banners. This apart, the government  was permitted to erect 50 banners for the celebration. He also said unauthorised banners erected by ‘enthusiastic’ AIADMK cadres across the city was “promptly” removed by themselves. The authorities would remove the unauthorised digital banners or hoardings if not already done, he said.

Two days after AAI officials said they had dropped the proposal for a greenfield airport for Chennai due to land acquisition issues, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday announced a new International greenfield Airport at the MGR centenary function, held at YMCA ground, in Nandanam. He said with the existing airport reaching threshold level in 2014, the State would work towards establishing another International Airport.