The planned aesthetic of Bhubaneswar is under siege, transforming into a chaotic tapestry of unauthorised posters, banners, and flex boards. As the New Year approached, a fierce competition among individuals, organisations, and political groups to convey greetings has led to a citywide clutter, raising serious alarms about visual pollution and compromised road safety.
Key Junctions and Medians Turn into Advertising Hotspots
From major traffic intersections to central road medians, the city has witnessed an alarming surge of these festive messages. Prominent squares like Acharya Vihar, Jaydev Vihar, and Master Canteen Square are now plastered with materials that severely obstruct the visibility of commuters. The problem extends beyond mere aesthetics; these displays are often placed dangerously at open spaces, directly blocking sightlines.
Urban planners point out that the very elements of street furniture designed for order have become part of the problem. Road medians, traffic posts, and even official information and directional signages have been co-opted as hotspots for these unauthorised displays. This creates unnecessary distractions for motorists and introduces potential hazards on already busy roads.
Civic Outcry and Weak Enforcement
Local activists and residents are voicing their frustration loudly. PV Raman, a civic activist, emphasised that the issue is dual-pronged. "These banners are not just an eyesore, they compromise road safety by blocking sightlines at busy junctions," he stated. Raman highlighted the existence of designated spaces for hoardings and lamented that this year, the practice has "crossed all limits."
Despite clear municipal regulations that prohibit such unauthorised installations, enforcement by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been notably weak. Officials admit to being overwhelmed by the challenge. One civic body official cited the sheer volume of banners and the involvement of influential groups as major hurdles. "They put up the banners soon after we remove them. We need adequate manpower for this kind of enforcement," the official explained.
Commuters Demand Immediate Action
The daily experience of navigating the city has become fraught with difficulty for its residents. Nitesh Mohapatra, a motorist at Jaydev Vihar Square, shared his ordeal: "It is hard to spot traffic signals when these boards are everywhere. We are almost blinded by these unauthorised hoardings. They also pose a serious distraction."
Echoing this sentiment, commuter Priyanka Behera criticised the messy appearance of the city and urged preemptive action. "Authorities should act before this becomes a permanent problem. The banners and posters should be removed immediately," she said.
In response to the growing public anger, Mayor Sulochana Das has promised action. She announced that the BMC will soon launch a crackdown on hoardings put up in public places. "At the same time, we urge everyone to refrain from such activities," the Mayor appealed, calling for public cooperation to maintain the city's cleanliness and safety.
