Posters and paan stains mar MG Road paintings

Marred by advertisements and stains of pan, the canvas paintings on either sides of MG Road have been reduced to eyesores.

Marred by advertisements and stains of pan, the canvas paintings on either sides of MG Road have been reduced to eyesores.

In March, 70 artists, including home makers, students and renowned talents had come together to give MG Road a colourful makeover. The artists turned the road into their canvas and painted over 11 installations on the road during the Gurgaon Artists’ Fest.

The fest was organised by the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) and a citizen-led initiative Gurgaon Action Plan (GAP).

However, seven months later, the installations have lost their charm because of the carelessness of residents, auto drivers and food stall owners.

“The installations were a beautiful sight. But within a few months, the condition has degraded. There are posters of upcoming movies or paying guest accommodations on the painted sceneries,” Malika Singh, a 25-year-old corporate executive, said.

The walls with birds flying in the painted blue sky and colourful butterflies springing around flowers made of mirrors and broken tiles have not deterred people from spitting pan on them.

Customers who eat at makeshift food stalls near painting dispose the plates in front of the walls.

Not just canvas, but even graffiti at various locations, including Iffco Chowk and Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, have been ruined. While the paint has started peeling off because of weather conditions at some locations, graffiti have been defaced by posters at other locations.

An official of the MCG said the civic body would check the condition of the paintings and take immediate steps to restore the canvas and graffiti.

“We will inspect the canvas and remove encroachments from the areas. Strict action will be taken against people who try to deface the canvas. Also people should understand that public property should not be destroyed as it helps in improving the aesthetic beauty of the city,” Rohit Yadav, joint commissioner, MCG, said.

He said if there are any stains or unwanted art on the canvas, the MCG will provide a fibre coating on the installations.