KOCHI: The Kochi Municipal Corporation moved fast to remove the final traces of hoardings in the city on Monday to meet the October 30 deadline given by High Court. According to the Corporation, more than 4,000 illegal flexes, including banners, hoardings, advertising boards, have been removed so far.
“We have completed the removal of 95 per cent of illegal flex hoardings in the city and other areas in Ernakulam,” said Shiny Mathew, Town Planning Committee Chairperson. Flexes could be removed very quickly thanks to the efforts of officers.” As per the directions of the High Court, the government has issued a notification to secretaries of Local Self Government Institutions (LSGI) across the state to remove all the unauthorised flex hoardings by Tuesday, with the secretaries to be held liable if it is not done. District Collectors and police chiefs have been directed to report the government after the removal of all illegal flexes.
The Kochi Corporation secretary issued a notice on Monday seeking the removal of illegal flex hoardings, banners and advertising boards by parties including political parties, shops and institutions who have placed them, failing which, the Corporation will remove them and impose a fine on the concerned party.
Hibi Eden MLA said it must be ensured the High Court order is ongoing.
“Provisions must be made by the High Court to retain its order, otherwise illegal flex hoardings and banners will pop up in the city again. The Corporation must also take the necessary steps to identify areas in the city for placing flexes, so they can generate an income,” he said.
Nodal officers, appointed by the panchayat directorate, and town planning directorate in panchayats, municipalities and corporation limits, should take immediate action based on complaints from the public regarding the failure of local bodies to remove the unauthorised flex boards banners and flags, he said.
On the way out The review meeting conducted by the District Collector on Monday found that over 80 percent of all the illegal flex boards and hoardings have been removed by the local self-government bodies in the district. After a detailed inspection, the District Collector will submit the reports given by the tahsildars to the High Court.