Stricter rules to rid city of huge hoardings

Stricter rules to rid city of huge hoardings

The Hindu

BANGALORE, APRIL 5. If the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has its way, the draft rules framed by it will rid the city of a large number of unsightly hoardings from public places.

The rules may go to the extent to specifying "no ad zones" and stipulate the maximum size for hoardings depending on traffic density and other factors. For years together, there have been campaigns against the proliferation of hoardings, but the BMP has been reluctant to entirely give up a source of revenue. After doing away with paid parking in many areas, the civic body is counting on the estimated Rs. 20 crores annual revenue from advertisements in public places.

For `VIP areas'

The draft rules will specify that certain "VIP areas," such as Raj Bhavan Road, Kumara Krupa Road, Ambedkar Road, Post Office Road, K.R. Circle, Palace Road, Nrupatunga Road and Palace Road, besides the environs of Cubbon Park and Lalbagh, are to be kept free of all hoardings. Advertisements may also be not allowed in the BMP parks and playgrounds.

The city is to be divided into four zones, A, B, C and D, depending on traffic density, the size of hoardings will be suitably restricted so as not to distract drivers and minimise traffic accidents. The maximum height of a hoarding may be 30 feet or 40 feet, except in areas with low traffic density, where there may be no such restrictions. Hoardings on rooftops too will be limited in dimensions.

The BMP will request the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, and public agencies which have large displays inside their premises but overlooking roads or on buses, to submit a list of such displays. They may also be asked to modify their displays.

The rules also provide for levy of charges on commercial establishments which have large displays other than their own sign boards. Since cinemas and local cable TV channels display advertisements, they will be asked to register themselves with the civic body and required to pay taxes. Wall posters of a commercial nature may be entirely prohibited as they are unsightly.