Colour coding, uniform signages to jazz up markets in south Delhi
The signage will be of uniform size, similar to those used by shops under the jurisdiction of New Delhi Municipal Council. Though, uniform in appearance, the boards will vary from market to market based on its character.
New Delhi
The markets in South Delhi will soon sport a new look with uniform signage, information boards and dedicated space for advertisements.
The move, besides giving aesthetic look to the markets, will also help South Corporation earn an additional Rs 80 core per year through advertisement rights as most shops are flooded with illegal billboards mostly of mobile companies, said a senior South corporation official.
The signage will be of uniform size 10 feetX4 feet, similar to those used by shops in the jurisdiction of New Delhi Municipal Council. Though, uniform in appearance, the boards will vary from market to market based on its character.
For instance, the civic body will give a particular colour to the markets in South Delhi which are popular for selling technological goods such as Nehru Place and Bhikaji Cama Place. It would be different from the markets that are popular for clothes such as Lajpat Nagar and South Extension.
“We are holding discussions with market associations in this regard. There are some problems as shopkeepers earn money through illegal signboards that they place in their area,” said a senior official of South Corporation.
“We are trying to make them understand that it is for their good because in the first stage we will be installing uniform signages and display boards and later other development activities would be taken up. This will increase the footfall at the markets and help them fight increasing competition online shopping portals,” he said.
The corporation plans to implement the rule in the next three months.
The South corporation earned Rs 120 crore from selling advertisement rights in the last financial year, which was Rs 40 crore more from Rs 80 crore that the civic body earned a year ago. This was due to action taken against illegal advertisements in colonies and other areas. By introducing uniform signages in markets, the corporation expects to touch the Rs 200-crore mark, he said.
“We will allow billboards over shops only if it does not harm the aesthetics for which the shopkeepers will have to pay to the corporation. Uniform signage will help us easily identify the illegal hoardings and billboards,” he said.
There will also be a dedicated space for advertisements, he said.
“We even want to introduce a mascot depending upon the characteristic of the market. However, the final decision on it and the theme colour of the signage is yet to happen,” he said.
The information boards will be placed at the entry point of major South Delhi markets, which will be a guide to different shops, eateries, parking areas, etc in the complex.
The North and East Delhi corporations are likely to follow suit in selected markets.
The North corporation would be emulating the model in Kamala Nagar and Gaffar Market while the EDMC may implement in at markets on Vikas Marg.