BBMP blind to illegal advertisements

Even as advertisers continue to nail up posters and handbills on trees in gross violation of rules, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) seems to have turned a Nelson’s eye to the issue.

Although the illegal practice prevails all over the City, it is more glaring on Outer Ring Road, opposite Manyata Tech Park, where a large number of posters and handbills have been nailed up on several trees, turning the area into an eyesore.

According to the Karnataka Open Places, Prevention of Disfigurement Act, 1981, nailing posters, handbills, notices, picture signs, documents or any visible representations in public spaces without taking the permission of local authority is a crime and, the accused is liable for penalty/imprisonment. In Bangalore, the BBMP is the authority to take action against those who violate the provisions of the said Act.

The umpteen number of advertisement posters and billboards on the trees near Manyata Tech Park mainly pertain to paying guest accommodations and call taxis among others. “Most of the advertisers venture out before the day break, between 3 am and 4 am, to nail up the advertisements on trees.

They do not come in evening or noon, as there will be many people around that time. They hammer hundreds of nails and screws, murdering the tree literally. Besides, the public properties in the area are getting disfigured,” said Mahesh, a security staff at the Manyata Tech Park. The insensitive advertisers have not spared even one among the nearly 30 trees on this road.

When contacted, Assistant Executive Engineer, HBR Layout ward, V Rame Gowda told Deccan Herald that he was not aware of the problem and, no resident has complained to him in this regard. However, he said that he would initiate action against the illegal advertisers and get the advertisements removed in two days.

Jude Rajesh Ferrao of Citizen Welfare Association, HRBR Layout, 2nd Block said: “The advertisers who are flouting the regulations must be fined heavily as the greenery of the City is getting spoiled by such acts. Three months ago, we carried out a green drive to save the trees from the nailed posters and billboards. It was shocking to see many nails and screws on trees.  During the drive we removed  more than 500 posters.”

Vani M S, a software engineer working in the Manyata Tech Park, however, has a different opinion. Many employees hail from other states and, these posters have made life easy for those on the lookout for accommodation. “Nevertheless, the government should see to it that the advertisers are registered and have taken permission from the authorities before posting advertisements in the public place,” she observed.

When contacted, an advertiser, V Gopal, who has put up paying guest accommodation-related advertisements, said that he was ignorant of the Karnataka Open Places, Prevention of Disfigurement Act, 1981.