Despite ban, illegal hoardings dot city roads

Tribune News Service
Bathinda, November 21

A large number of illegal hoardings have come up on the main roads of the city, thanks to the apathetic attitude of the Municipal Corporation (MC).

Most of the hoardings show politicians wishing city residents on Diwali and Gurpurb. Besides, hoardings of religious functions have also come up in the city.

At some places, even the Bathinda Development Authority and the district administration have  installed various illegal hoardings in the city.

Even the Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued directions against illegal hoardings, ordering to remove them from GT road, highways and key roads inside the city.

A drive through the city reveals how the High Court orders are being defied openly. Huge hoardings and billboards have come up at roadsides at key points. However, in spite of the court orders, the situation remains the same.

As per rules, anyone wanting to install hoardings in the city should take permission from the MC and pay fee as some designated points of installation of flex boards have been earmarked by the MC.

City residents alleged that it was high time that the authorities take strict action against the guilty.

The Municipal Corporation, on the other hand, has neither acted against these illegal hoardings nor bothered to implement the policy.

Gurmeet Singh, a city resident, said, “You can easily spot hoardings and posters on walls of Government Rajindra College, the bus stand and various other places. The MC should take note of it and start an awareness programme against illegal hoardings and posters in the city. I am surprised that the MC has not made any effort to remove these illegal hoardings.”

Mayor Balwant Rai Nath said, “I will direct the official concerned to immediately remove illegal hoardings and posters across the city.”

On hoardings of political parties, he said, “It doesn’t matter whether the hoardings are that of a political party or commercial establishment, law is equal for all. We will remove these hoardings as well.”