Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Chamber pleased as hoardings go

MADURAI: The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the removal of unauthorised hoardings in the State. The extent to which they were obstructing the glory and majesty of cities such as Chennai, Madurai and Tiruchi had now become discernible, it said.

The drive against hoardings followed a Supreme Court ruling on April 9 upholding a 2006 verdict of the Madras High Court directing the removal of all hoardings that are unauthorised or unlicensed, and that pose a hazard or obstruct visibility, erected in public and private premises in the State.

In a statement, Chamber president S. Rethinavelu said that it was “shocking” as to how far the unregulated hoardings and bill boards were erected all over Madurai. The huge boards in junctions were causing accidents as drivers were unable to spot vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

The hoardings had also put traders in trouble as they were obstructing the view of business establishments. The Supreme Court’s decision had provided a much-needed relief, he said.

He said that it was “inexplicable” how thousands of unauthorised hoardings were allowed to be erected all over the State. When plans for tall buildings were refused sanction in temple cities such as Madurai, how come hoardings as high as 30 feet were allowed on top of buildings without objection, he wondered.

He called for a ban on hoardings in public places and temporary hoardings for functions.

Hoardings should be allowed only in places earmarked for the purpose and in structures and boards fixed by the local bodies themselves, a practice followed in cities like New Delhi.

This would ensure that hoardings did not conceal the serenity and cultural grandeur of a city. He also urged all political parties to support the strict enforcement of rules.

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