KOCHI:Coming down heavily on the state government for its reluctance to take action against those who place illegal hoardings/flex boards across the state, the Kerala High Court said it was baffling to notice how the authorities allow this on handrails, telephone and electric posts, and other public installations.
“The influence and power of the individuals and entities who indulge in illegal activities cannot occlude the vision of the authorities concerned, who are enjoined to act in the larger interest of the society,” the court said.
Justice Devan Ramachandran also directed the state government to file an affidavit indicating its policy. It should explain regarding the ‘advertisement code’ and ‘pollution control mechanisms or protocol, if any, in the state and the manner in which such flex boards and PVC installations are being regulated or controlled.
The interim order was passed on a petition filed by Silvy George, trustee, St Stephen’s Malankara Catholic Church, Bharanickavu, Alappuzha.
According to him, certain anti-social elements have erected various boards and banners of political, social and cultural organisations on the hand railings of the footpath in front of the church and on other areas in the road margin. They are causing great difficulty to the public. The authorities have not taken any action on a representation given by the church, the petitioner said.
The court said the issue was regarding placing, positioning and illegal installation of various boards placed by individuals and entities on the street corners, pedestrian areas, on hand railings, public posts and every other public installation as if all these areas were meant for advertisements.
Their positioning at times was so distressing that the view of the pedestrians from the footpath is completely blocked to the main road and what they see are only the back of the 8-10 feet high hoardings. The boards are made in plastic and PVC and their use has now rapidly increased. The pedestrians thus face the danger of being knocked down.
The materials used cannot be reused or recycled while their burning releases extremely harmful pollutants like sulphates and nitrates, which form a thick blanket reducing the supply of oxygen in the area.