Illegal flexes continue to dot Bengaluru amid poor enforcement

Bengaluru: Even though there has been a ban on the erection of flexes, cut-outs, and banners in the city since 2018, many roads in Bengaluru are still dotted with such hoardings.

For instance, the latest fleet of flexes added to the city’s streets on Saturday in Govindaraj Nagar were huge life-size banners wishing local Congress MLA Priya Krishna for his birthday on April 27. Residents said this is a clear violation of the law and ruins the city's aesthetics.

“The hoardings and cut-outs are so huge that they distract commuters while travelling. How is the BBMP allowing such big cut-outs when there is a ban?” said a Vijaynagar resident, who did not want to be named.

Residents noted that similar situations arise across many areas, especially during festivals and other celebrations.

“Just recently, hundreds of banners surfaced in our area, with every political leader wishing citizens a happy Ugadi. This happens during every festival,” said Pruthvi K, a resident of North Bengaluru.

Asked what action the BBMP had taken to enforce the ban, Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath told DH that numerous FIRs have been filed and thousands of such banners removed — but they continue to pop up and flourish.

BBMP chief Tushar Girinath says the new advertisement policy could put an end to the illegal hoardings and flexes in the city.

“It is a continuous process. We keep removing illegal flexes and banners regularly. The maximum we can do is file an FIR, and that is a time-consuming process,” Girinath said.

However, he added that the new advertisement policy could help curb illegal hoardings in the city.

“Once advertisers pay BBMP and take over advertising rights for an assigned area, they will ensure illegal hoardings do not come up. We are in the process of implementing the policy,” he said.