BANGALORE: The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will publish the details of illegal advertisement boards across the city on its website. It is expected to be done by the end of the month, and the public can file objections if any, said BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana.
Yediyur ward councillor N R Ramesh said according to advertisement department officials, there are 2,260 authorised and 1,017 illegal hoardings. “But last year, I videographed around 23,000 hoardings in arterial and sub-arterial roads spanning 3,800 kms,” he said. “This means more than 20,000 of them are illegal hoardings.” The BBMP has spent `4.5 crore in the last four years to remove unauthorised hoardings. In 2013-14, it removed 101 hoardings spending `100 lakh. This means the Palike is spending `1 lakh on the removal of one hoarding.
Ramesh alleged that the Assistant Commissioner for Advertisement Manjunath Swamy had granted permission for hoardings that do not come under his jurisdiction. Mayor Shanthakumari also blamed him for misleading the council.
‘Construction Works Making Kempegowda Tower Invisible’
Councillors objected to construction work in and around Kempegowda Tower that is making these historical structures invisible. JD(S) floor leader Prakash, referring to the construction work next to Kempegowda tower at Mekhri circle, said the compound wall is more than 10 feet high. The tower comes under the Archeology Department but the BBMP has not taken permission from them. Mayor Shanthakumari said the construction work has to be stopped and that they are conducting an inspection soon.