PROBLEM OF PLENTY?: Too many hoardings mar the beauty of heritage structures in Mysore. — PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

MYSORE: Mysore City Corporation (MCC) has decided to reduce the number of commercial and advertisement hoardings in the city.

At a meeting here on Tuesday, the authorities set July 31 as the deadline to reduce the number of hoardings in the city. Advertisement agencies and their representatives present at the meeting were instructed to comply with the deadline.

The meeting was convened in the wake of non-governmental organisations expressing concern over the proliferation of "illegal" hoardings. According to them, billboards mar the beauty of the city.

It has been decided to remove 66 huge hoardings that have come up in the heart of the city. These are very close to the palace and are located on the KSRTC building near the city bus stand adjacent to the palace; and K.R. Circle; Albert Victor Road; Tataiah Park; CADA Office; Gun House Circle; Kote Maramma Temple; Wrestling Arena; Gandhi Square; Town Hall; and parts of Ashok Road, all of which are close to various heritage structures.

It may be recalled that the civic authorities have been opposed to the NGOs who have been complaining of the problem. Recently, the Association of Concerned and Informed Citizens of Mysore (ACICM) threatened to move the court if the "illegal" hoardings were not removed from the city.

The special meeting was convened by Deputy Commissioner S. Selvakumar, who is also administrator of the city corporation. Proprietors and representatives of advertising agencies were present at the meeting.

The Deputy Commissioner said that there was need to reduce the number of hoardings near the palace, which was the most important heritage site and a must-see for tourists.

Corporation Commissioner K.N. Chandrashekhar said that hoardings marred the beauty of not only the palace, but also other heritage buildings.

Among the various heritage sites surrounding the palace are Town Hall; Chamaraja Circle; K.R. Circle; Hardinge Circle; and Clock Tower. All these fall along the "heritage walk" route for tourists during "dasara."

Mr. Chandrashekar said that since the festival was nearing, it was imperative to take steps to remove the hoardings as soon as possible.

Although the corporation had issued licence for only 400 hoardings, an additional 137 had been put up illegally, he alleged.

Karnataka Road Transport Corporation came under flak for having issued licences till 2008.

Mr. Selvakumar asked KSRTC Divisional Controller Ashok Kumar, who was present at the meeting, as to how licence could be issued till 2008 when it was to be issued only for one year and renewed subsequently.

Representatives of advertising companies pleaded for a month's time to remove the hoardings following which the Deputy Commissioner set July 31 as the deadline to clear those in areas near the palace.

The representatives sought an alternative site and pointed out that it was the MCC that had issued the licence and hence they should not be penalised for change in its rules.

ACICM said that although only 400 big hoardings were permitted, the city had nearly 2,000 such hoardings.

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