As part of safety measures taken in view of the sudden rainfall last month, the GHMC had temporarily banned all the display ads on hoardings and unipoles in Hyderabad till June 15. But, they can still be seen in several parts of the city.
Even 20 days after the ban, several flexes can be spotted with images of various political parties and organisations even near the Telangana CM’s camp office in Begumpet.
According to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), there are over 2700 hoardings and over 300 unipoles in the city, of which every zone still has nearly 20 flexes displaying advertisements on hoardings in the city.
Venkanna, advertisement officer of GHMC told The News Minute, “Within four days, all the flexes will be removed. The circle officers are inspecting the area, and GHMC Deputy Commissioners are in charge of each circle to implement the ban. The DCPs of each circle will crack down on advertising agencies who are openly disregarding the rules.”
He also said that the flexes will be taken out before the monsoon hits the city.
The ban came after Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has reportedly predicted heavy showers for the city.
Meanwhile, some commuters have expressed concern over the number of hoardings still on display.
“Some of the flexes start shaking after a little amount of rain. The ban on these advertisements was a good plan however, there is no implementation. The authorities should take strict action against organisations using illegal hoardings,” said Naresha Reddy, who uses the Panjagutta road frequently for travel.
“The decision has been taken by the civic body keeping in mind the safety of people and their property. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has informed the municipal corporation about the possibility of the city witnessing up to 510 cm rains with gusty winds ranging between 100 and 150km per hour,” GHMC commissioner B Janardhan Reddy told the Times of India.
Last month, due to heavy rainfall and thunderstorm, 290 trees were uprooted, and nearly 32 electric poles were damaged in the GHMC limits.
The thunderstorm also led to the collapse of four hoardings causing damage to property and vehicles in different locations across the city.
To avoid a threat to safety of people and property, the government took the decision of ordering a temporary ban on advertisements on hoardings and unipoles.
However, several places in Begumpet, Panjagutta, Banjara Hills and Madhapur, advertisements can still be seen on hoardings, which can be dangerous.
Even the police seem to be unaware of such a ban. “We do not know about these bans by government, sometimes they put these hoarding advertisements during nights,” says a patrolling officer at Panjagutta.
Last year also, the GHMC had imposed a similar ban on hoardings and unipoles, for nearly three months.