MC, PUDA lock horns over hoardings

In his letter, the Estate Officer, G.S. Guman pointed out that there were big signboards on the road linking Phase-VII, Mohali and Sector 44, Chandigarh.

The situation near the traffic lights of inter-junction of Phase-VII and VIII is no better. A large number of such signboards have been displayed over the years and are a potential threat to traffic, the letter adds.In fact, the hoardings, being set up by private companies and other business establishments on the roadside, have made the traffic coming from opposite direction invisible.

Although MC officials claim that the drive to remove hoardings in and around Mohali has already been launched, there are no visible signs of that.With the confusion between Committee and PUDA officials on the issue, a large number of unauthorised marble and furniture shops continue to proliferate. A PUDA survey indicates over 4,000 such shops in the area.It may be recalled that the development work in the township is the primary responsibility of PUDA whereas it is being maintained by the Municipal Committee.

Talking to Chandigarh Newsline, PUDA officials said that complaints regarding regular lifting of the garbage had fallen on deaf ears.

MC officials admit receiving letter over the signboards and said that a committee had already been formed after a communication from PUDA official was received. He added that the action would be taken on the basis of findings of report to be made available in a week or two.

He further admitted that some of the signboards had come up without prior permission of the committee and that was why it required survey.