The Municipal Corporation cracked the whip on nearly 400 illegal hoardings in the city on Tuesday, in accordance with orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. On Tuesday, hoardings were removed from Pakhowal road, Chandigarh road, Hambran road, Mall road and Ferozepur road. While a separate policy for malls, shops and religious hoardings has been drawn up, a policy for hoardings put up by political parties is yet to be finalised. The high court, on November 21, has asked the MC to prepare a status report and submit it on December 5. It was after this that the civic body initiated action against illegal hoardings and issued a public notice to all shopkeepers and commercial establishments to remove hoardings within two days. “It is made clear to MC Ludhiana that in case illegal hoardings and outdoor advertisements are not removed by next date of hearing, a court commissioner would be appointed to inspect city and in case the report reveals infractions, the officer(s) would be held responsible,” the court order read. Talking to Newsline, an official from the MC’s tehbazaari wing said, “The high court has asked for complete report on December 5. It has been the MC’s policy to take action only when HC hearing is near, making the situation tough. But a policy for political hoardings is yet to be finalized as there is a lot of political pressure.” Sources said that “as per orders of Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, not a single hoarding with his photo should be visible in the city. This has further put the MC in a tight spot as local leaders have installed his photos at various spots and are pressurising officials not to act against them.” Tehbazaari superintendent J S Sekhon told Newsline, “As per bylaws, shopkeepers cannot install a board measuring more than 3 feet in width for advertising. Surrogate advertising is banned and one cannot install boards of any other brand. For malls, building wrap is allowed and for religious ads, 21 sites allowing two boards each are finalized. The MC will submit a status report before the court on December 5.” Asked about political hoardings, he said, “A policy is yet to be finalised for political ads."
