Civic body begins crackdown on hoardings along city roads

Principal secy, department of urban local bodies, gives 7 days to remove billboards, HT reports.

Acting on the directive of the state government, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) on Monday removed hoardings and encroachments along the major roads in the city that obstruct the movement of traffic.

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The principal secretary of the department of urban local bodies, P Raghavendra Rao, has given one week’s time to remove all hoardings along the Railway Road, Pataudi Road, Khandsa Road and Old Delhi Road.

On Monday, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon’s enforcement wing removed over 250 such hoardings from old and new Railway road that stretch together 11 km from Sadar to railway station.

The enforcement wing of the corporation began its drive at 8am and continued till 5.30pm. The workers tore down big posters and banners and wall papers on buildings.

“We have been implementing a high court order in this regard. The court has directed to clear all illegal hoardings obstructing visibility of motorists. This may cause accidents. Therefore, I directed the Gurgaon Municipal Corporation to take appropriate action,” said Rao.

Earlier on Sunday, the MCG commissioner, Vijay Singh Dahiya, had inspected the two roads along with chief engineer, MCG, BS Singroha, senior town planner, SC Kush and others.

“There are hoardings and banners hung low on the Railway Road. These can hamper the visibility of the drivers as they can’t see the traffic signal,” said Hemant Kumar, a resident New Colony.

“These are illegal hoardings that local shopkeepers and advertisers have put up without the permission of competent authority. I have inspected all roads in the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon areas and in week time’s time we will remove all advertisements that cause visibility problem for commuters,” said the MCG commissioner.

The commissioner will have to submit an action taken report to the principal secretary by January 1.