In a significant move to reclaim public spaces and improve urban aesthetics, the Trichy Corporation launched a targeted enforcement drive on Tuesday, removing unauthorised flex banners and hoardings from more than 20 key locations across the city.
Major Clean-Up Drive Targets Public Infrastructure
The crackdown focused on banners illegally erected near residential roads, busy roundabouts, and along national highways. Officials from the civic body systematically cleared small and medium-sized flex banners that were cluttering these areas. The operation covered prominent spots including Ariyamangalam, Prakash Nagar, the MGR roundabout in Cantonment, Puthur, and Periyamilagupaarai.
A common and concerning practice discovered during the drive was the affixing of these promotional materials to essential public infrastructure. Many illegal banners were found attached to telecommunication poles and Tangedco's electricity poles, posing potential risks and defacing utility assets. In some instances, advertisers had gone a step further by constructing permanent wooden frames to support their banners, a move that drew sharp criticism from daily commuters and residents frustrated by the visual pollution.
Political Banners Pose Logistical Challenge
While the drive made substantial progress, it encountered a practical hurdle. Some large-sized banners, predominantly those put up by political parties, were not removed during Tuesday's action. Corporation officials cited the need for additional manpower and bigger vehicles to safely dismantle these massive structures. This highlights the scale and brazen nature of some of the violations.
However, the corporation has made its intent clear. A civic official stated that workers were instructed to remove the illegally installed wooden frames as well. Emphasising that this is not a one-off effort, the official affirmed, "The drive will continue," signalling a sustained campaign against unauthorised hoardings.
Sustained Action for a Cleaner Trichy
This enforcement action underscores the Trichy Corporation's commitment to enforcing urban norms and responding to citizen complaints about rampant advertising that encroaches on public spaces. The removal of flex banners from over 20 locations marks a decisive step. The continuation of this drive indicates a planned, ongoing effort to deter advertisers from flouting rules and to ensure that roads, highways, and residential areas are free from unauthorised visual clutter, contributing to a cleaner and more orderly cityscape.
