55 unauthorised hoardings removed, BBMP tells HC

The BBMP on Saturday informed the Karnataka High Court that 55 remaining unauthorised hoardings have been removed. There are 1800 hoardings that have not been removed as they are facing litigation, and are subject to injunctions, the counsel told the court.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari was hearing a PIL seeking direction to remove illegal hoardings in the city.

The BBMP counsel further stated that he will compile a list of the hoardings which are protected by interim orders or injunctions, and submit the same to the court.

The BBMP also told the High Court that they have received 1200 suggestions and objections from the public with regard to the Outdoor Signage and Public Messaging Bylaws. Out of this, 800 have sought personal hearings to their objections.

The BBMP submitted that they are considering the possibility of conducting a hearing on a set of objections.

After considering the objections and suggestions, the BBMP will inform the state government if any modification is required.

The counsel representing the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board told the court that the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) has completed the basic test concerning a few parameters on the samples, and they are Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) free. The counsel added that the report of the other detailed test pertaining to biodegradability is expected on November 25.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case to December 1.

The court has sought the Advocate General's response on an affidavit filed by one of the petitioners alleging that the police not only filed a B report against D K Shivakumar who had erected two flexes which were later removed, and also for transferring the concerned police sub-inspector for registering an FIR.

The affidavit further states that the BBMP has employed two yardsticks in a similar situation wherein on September 29, one Muthraj complained to Bytaranyapura Police of erecting an advertisement in two places by D K Shivakumar in Crime 412/2018. Unfortunately instead of proceeding with the case, the police filed a B Report.