New hoarding rules next year

New hoarding rules next year

The Hindu

BMP looking at legal hurdles before going ahead with new proposals

# Standing Committee yet to approve the new rules
# Advertisers got a stay against anti-hoarding drive
# Revenue from hoardings expected to double
# City divided into four zones


BANGALORE: Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's (BMP) plan to amend the advertising bylaws of 1956 may not materialise this year.

Although the new rules are ready, the civic body m he sources said.

No specifications

While the existing bylaws do not have specifications for neon and glow signs, light emitting diode (LED) boards, gantries and back-lit hoardings, the new byelaws make ample provision for them, listing their type, size and maintenance restrictions, the sources said.

A senior BMP official, who explained the need for revising the byelaws, said the new rules will not only change the advertising practices but also increase BMP's revenue.

"The advertisement revenue, which was Rs. 3 crores in 2002, has shot up to Rs. 15 crores now. We expect to double it after the new rules are implemented," the official said.

New zones

Under the new rules, the city has been divided into zones A, B, C and D.

"The permitted height of hoardings in each of these zones varies.

While zone A has 10 roads including Raj Bhavan Road, Nrupathunga Road, Palace Road, zone B has 11 roads like Sheshadri Road, Commercial Street, and Queens Road.

Zone C has 71 roads including R.T. Nagar Main Road, Sampige Road, Margosa Road and zone D has the highest number of 74 roads," the official explained.

"Even if the Committee, Council and the State Government approves our proposal, we will have to clear all legal hurdles before we implement it," the official added.