'Nexus with advertisers causing huge losses'

Hoardings on a skywalk near Sophia School have not been auctioned but given to a private party on a monthly lease of Rs 10,000 for a period of 30 years. But another skywalk has been auctioned for a rent of Rs 62.76 lakh a year for a period of 25 years, he told presspersons here on Tuesday.

Adverstisers have grossly violated the rules by displaying hoardings in ‘A’ zone areas like the Vidhana Soudha, Nrupathunga Road, Cunningham Road and Raj Bhavan Road.

Section 3(A) (24) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act stipulates that advertisements on skywalks should not be shifted to other places. However, this rule has also been violated, he said.

Bus shelters

The BBMP assigned ten advertisers to build 288 bus shelters in different locations on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. However, prior permission of the Commissioner was not sought for 85 such shelters. He expressed reservations over the utility of the skywalk at Chalukya Circle while the underpass near the Chalukya Hotel has no users.

The Palike anticipated a revenue of Rs 120.07 crore from advertisements while it could garner only Rs 2.91 crore in the past eight months. He wondered whether it would be able to collect the balance of Rs 117 crore in the next four months.