No more ads as you zoom to BIA

No more ads as you zoom to BIA
BY CHANDRASHEKAR G.
BENGALURU


Your journey to Bengaluru International Airport from the Hebbal flyover will be free from huge advertising billboards that distract the driver.

To ensure safety for road users and maintain the aesthetics of Bengaluru, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has decided to make the entire stretch — from Hebbal flyover to the BIA a hoarding free zone.

The move is also aimed at complying with the rules of the National Highway Authority of India Act.

Concerned about the safety of travellers on this stretch, authorities of NHAI have directed the BBMP to maintain some stretch of roads falling under the BBMP jurisdiction free of displays and hoardings.

According to a letter to the BBMP, a copy of which was made available to this newspaper, the National Highways Authority of India has said, “Though technically, some stretches of road fall under the BBMP’s jurisdiction, it actually comes under the administrative jurisdiction of NHAI. Hence, to make the journey safe for road users, hoardings have been banned on the stretch.” “Since the road leading to BIA has been widened and upgraded to provide for smooth ride, vehicles are cruising at a high speed.

To curb accidents, we have decided to implement the directions of NHAI seriously. Our duty is to ensure that walls are defaced and there is no indiscriminate display of advertisements,” BBMP sources said.

At present, some of the hoarding free zones are at Vidhana Soudha and surrounding areas.

“No fresh permissions will be given. However, only those hoardings, which have sought permission are be allowed until the expiry of the contract period,” sources added.

“We have to comply with the NHAI regulations and to make the journey safe for travelers. BBMP is ready to lose advertisement revenue of Rs five crore by making the stretch hoarding-free at the cost of safety of public,” said a senior BBMP official.

Initially, the BBMP touted BIA stretch as money spinner in the form of advertisements.

However, BBMP has been authorised to permit advertisements until Hebbal flyover and at magic box (using pre-cast elements) underpass.