Floating billboards at Tank Bund, Saroornagar to generate revenue

HMDA plans to make money with advertisements, which are solar powered and eco-friendly. As many as 30 static billboards are being fixed at these two lakes, 15 on each lake.
Floating  billboards being laid by HMDA workers at Hussainsagar in Hyderabad on Friday  | r satish babu
Floating billboards being laid by HMDA workers at Hussainsagar in Hyderabad on Friday | r satish babu

HYDERABAD: Citizens passing by Hussainsagar and Saroornagar water bodies will witness an innovative advertising platform in the form of static billboards.

Starting next week, passers-by will observe hoardings in these two lakes as Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) will introduce these new paraphernalia in the twin cities after getting required permission for the advertisements from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

Senior HMDA officials said that though the billboards have been fixed in these two lakes, they have their fingers crossed as municipal administration minister KT Rama Rao is against granting fresh permission to the advertisements in GHMC limits.

Officials said all the relevant permissions including lake protection, pollution control and environment clearances has been obtained except advertisement permission from the municipal corporation. The HMDA, however, is hopeful of getting authorisation from GHMC soon. As many as 30 static billboards are being fixed at these two lakes, 15 on each lake.

Trial runs

Trial runs have started in Saroornagar lake while at Hussainsagar they will happen in a few more days.  The innovative billboard functions on a solar powered medium to be an eco-friendly revenue generating source. HMDA officials told Express that the floating hoardings on these lakes the floating hoardings will are 20 feet in width and 10 feet in height, which and be illuminated with solar power during nights.

Recently, HMDA floated tenders from private agencies for designing, installation, operation and maintenance of these billboards. HMDA had monetised the lake by providing space in both these lakes. In turn, the company which will install the floating billboards will pay a monthly fee of `15 lakh for each lake to HMDA.

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The New Indian Express
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