Citizens want authorities to bring down billboards

HUBBALLI: After the ban on illegal billboards and flexes in Bengaluru for one year following a

High Court

order, a demand to impose a similar ban is being pressed in Hubballi-Dharwad. There are a number of illegal billboards and flexes which are not only causing loss of revenue to the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (

HDMC

) but also marring the beauty of the

twin cities

.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was woken up from a deep slumber by the High Court which directed the local body to remove illegal flexes and billboards. Following the directive,

BBMP

has been removing illegal billboards and flexes. During the inauguration of the new court complex in Hubballi, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy welcomed the high court order and sought more such directions from courts to streamline administration.

Civic activist Dr M C Sindhur told TOI that there are a number of illegal billboards, flexes and banners which are causing a loss to HDMC. “They are also adding to traffic woes. The presence of billboards and flexes at many locations are distracting people. HDMC has failed to act against this menace. What BBMP has done in in Bengaluru must be replicated in the twin cities too,” he added.

Mayor Sudhir Saraf said there are 415 billboards and of them about 35 are legal. “We have removed illegal billboards and the drive is on. We have also taken up a fresh survey on billboards and flexes. As far as flexes and banners put up to convey wishes and obituaries, police must take action,” he said.

The mayor also said HDMC will also take a decision to make building owners responsible when illegal billboards are installed on their buildings. “The subject will be tabled in the next general body meeting. We will ensure revenue from billboards is not leaked,” he said.