Flex boards installed on poles across the city would soon be a thing of the past as local municipal corporation plans to replace these with electronic screens for advertising purposes.
Under the new high-tech system, a control room would be set up, from where advertisements would be
uploaded and removed from the digital screens.
The step has been initiated after the new Punjab municipal outdoor advertisement policy 2012 was approved by the state cabinet on October 23 in Chandigarh. A notice would soon be issued, after which the MC would implement the policy that would look into issues relating to advertisements within MC limits.
At present, advertisement boards made in flex are put on poles erected by the MC across the city, which are given on contract.
MC commissioner RK Verma said that all aspects of advertising within MC limits would be taken care of.
He said that spots for putting up these screens would be identified along roads in such a manner that they did not distract drivers and passers-by.
"Safety of residents among other aspects is the main aim of the policy. It would not be adopted for commercial purpose but only to make advertisements on poles safe and secure for public," said Verma.
He said other public utilities, including urinals, would also be constructed in different areas.
According to a spokesperson of the chief minister's office, "The policy is primarily designed to ensure that outdoor advertisement is not hazardous to traffic. Spaces meant for outdoor advertisements will be auctioned in a transparent manner to stop illegal practices in the trade."
"The cabinet has given its nod to issue an ordinance for amending Punjab Municipal Act, 1911, to ensure implementation of the new policy as well as municipal outdoor advertisement by-laws 2012," said the official.
Ludhiana MC earns nearly Rs. 4 crore every year from advertisements across the city.