BBMP collects `1.03 lakh in penalties over illegal hoardings

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Over 8,000 ille gal hoardings have been removed, and 142 FIRs out of 267 complaints registered across eight zones by the advertisement wing of the BBMP from June this year up to Monday.

The BBMP has intensified crackdowns on illegal hoardings ever since a grievous incident in Mumbai, where a large hoarding fell, killing 16 people. In his capacity as Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister, DK Shivakumar last year strictly warned of strict action if hoardings were erected on the sides of roads in the city, imposing a fine of Rs. 50,000.

The BBMP has collected Rs. 1,03,000 across eight zones, with the West and Rajarajeshwari Nagar zones collecting Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 53,000, respectively. Despite registering FIRs for all complaints, the Bommanahalli zone couldn’t collect a single penny while taking down 976 illegal hoardings.

The Mahadevapura zone is notorious for its illegal hoardings, with 3,989 hoardings removed and 26 FIRs registered, yet it also failed to penalise for illegal hoardings. RR Nagar, with only seven FIRs, managed to collect the highest fines among the eight zones, removing 1,431 illegal hoardings.

Officials are also looking to crack down on hoardings erected for birthday celebrations of those affiliated with political parties, warning of strict action.

Cops have joined with Palike officials in cracking down on illegal hoardings. Citizens can report illegal hoardings by sending pictures of them via WhatsApp to the phone number: 94806 83939.