BENGALURU : While residents in the urban areas heaved a sigh of relief after the ban on flexes, residents in Bangalore Rural, especially Hosakote, are still fighting these issues of advertisements by the corporates and politicians. Residents question why the ban has been implemented only in areas within Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits, it should be statewide ban as the material used is plastic. The city municipal corporation said it would like to clear all flexes but they are facing opposition by politicians.
Rakesh Jha, an IT engineer living in Hosakote, said nobody takes permission from any authority to put up these flexes as these areas are outside BBMP limits. “Once you cross the BBMP limits, you find plastic flexes everywhere. This is not just an urban problem. It is an environmental issue. I had complained to the municipal corporation but they wouldn’t take any action unless the High Court instructs them to,” he added.
Another resident and home-maker, Sheela Vignesh said that though Hosakote is in Bangalore Rural, the area needs better development plans. “Development starts with us wanting to change our existing habits. Plastic is a worldwide problem and the HC should extend their order to the entire state. Right now, flex agencies are taking advantage of the new law and increasing their flexes outside BBMP limits,” she said.
Sheela also pointed out that hammering the flexes on the trees is causing a nuisance for residents as it blocks their view as well. “When we step out of the house, there is a flex covering our view. The number of flexes has doubled since the ban in Bangalore Urban,” she said.
Residents suggested environment-friendly advertisements be used at designated areas such as bus stops. They demanded the same HC order of banning the flexes for a year be extended to the Bangalore Rural as well. H Gangadhara, municipal commissioner of Hosakote city municipal council, said that they want to clear the flexes in their town but are opposed by local leaders and former politicians.
“Whenever workers take them down, they put up new ones as they do not need permission to put them up in these areas. We want a new law or a HC order to back us up when we are questioned by locals. Though we are a small town, we too want Hosakote to look beautiful and become environment-friendly,” he said.
Deputy commissioner of Bangalore Rural District, KareeGowda was not available for comment.