Over 35k unauthorized hoardings removed in dist, still more to go

Kochi: High court has asked authorities to remove unauthorized hoardings, boards, banners and flags from public places. It is easier said than done. Local bodies in the district removed over 35,000 such items from Jan 1, 2023, to Sept 30, 2024, with cumulative fines imposed on violators amounting to over Rs 48 lakh. However, authorities say that fresh ones reappear on the spots.

Data shows that highest number of unauthorized banners, flags and boards were removed from Kochi corporation limit during the period. However, it was found that local bodies failed to collect fines from violators. Kalamassery municipality imposed a fine of Rs 18 lakh but collected only Rs 3.53 lakh.

Unauthorized items were removed by forming special squads. "We issue notices to violators asking them to remit fines but collection is very low. In cases where the fine is not remitted, we forward such cases to police station to file criminal cases against violators. Private agencies and political parties constitute majority of the violators. It is unauthorized flex boards that we see mostly in the local body. When we issue notices, political parties remit fine, as opposed to private agencies," said a Kalamassery municipality official. The removed illegal boards and banners are auctioned by the respective local bodies.

In panchayats, the highest number of illegal items were removed from Kunnathunadu — 833 by spending Rs 7,500. It is followed by Varapetti, which removed 452 illegal items. Kumbalangi panchayat, which imposed a fine of Rs 15,500 on violators, collected the entire amount. In municipalities, the highest number of illegal items were removed by Kalamassery.

No permission is given to erect any hoardings, banners or boards by local bodies following the high court order in 2022. A senior official with the joint LSGD office in Ernakulam said the number of unauthorized items found in public places is less compared to previous years.

Data shows that local bodies initiating police complaint against violators are almost nil. Only Kochi corporation filed 23 cases against violators so far.