Greater Noida Residents Protest Unsafe, Unchecked Advertisement Boards
Residents of Greater Noida have raised significant concerns about the proliferation of unchecked advertisement boards across the city, highlighting not only the aesthetic degradation of public spaces but also serious safety risks. Large commercial hoardings have reportedly sprung up on central verges, green belts, and traffic circles at key intersections, including Pari Chowk, the Ryan International School roundabout in Beta 1, and the Amrit Puram roundabout in Sector Gamma 1.
Safety Hazards and Distractions
Commuters navigating these areas, particularly after sundown, have reported that bright LED-lit advertisements distract drivers and obscure essential traffic signage, thereby increasing the risk of accidents. Residents from various sectors, including Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Omicron, have echoed similar complaints, emphasizing that the issue extends beyond mere visual clutter.
"The problem is not just aesthetics, it is safety," stated Harinder Bhati, general secretary of the Residents' Welfare Association (RWA) in Sector Beta 1. "These hoardings compromise visibility and take away from Greater Noida's green character. The cost of maintaining roundabouts and green belts is not so high that the Authority cannot manage it directly."
Defacement of Public Infrastructure
In addition to large boards, residents' bodies have pointed out the rampant pasting of small promotional posters, primarily advertising paying guest accommodations and rental housing. These posters are being indiscriminately placed on directional signboards, electric poles, bus stops, and boundary walls, often obscuring crucial information meant for motorists and pedestrians.
Bhati, who wrote to the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) CEO on Wednesday, questioned the lack of enforcement. "These posters carry phone numbers and clear identifiers. Why is no action being taken against those defacing public infrastructure?" he asked.
Broader Urban Challenges
Other resident representatives have expressed concerns that this issue reflects a broader struggle to balance rapid urban growth with civic discipline. "Development should not come at the cost of public safety and visual chaos," said Mohit Bhati, another local resident. "Greater Noida was known for its open spaces and orderly planning. That identity is slowly being diluted. The Authority should take action against all such defacement of public property."
In their representations to GNIDA, resident groups have called for:
- Stricter regulation of outdoor advertising
- Removal of unauthorized boards and posters
- Restoration of clear, readable signage across sectors
Authority's Response
Authority officials acknowledged that some commercial boards are permitted under the build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model, which is intended to offset upkeep costs through private maintenance contracts. However, they maintained that unauthorized defacement would not be tolerated.
"Action will be taken against illegal advertisements and damage to public property," an official stated, adding that enforcement drives would be stepped up to address the residents' grievances.
