No more notification, rather action will now be taken against violations. This seems to be the new mantra of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to make the city free from illegal hoardings. As per sources, the civic body is going to take stringent action by removing illegal rooftop hoardings and mobile towers in different parts of the capital city.
The BMC has decided to act tough against the owners of such buildings as they have been earning lakhs of rupees while no payment is made to the corporation. A committee has been formed by the BMC that will conduct an intensive survey and remove all such illegal rooftop hoardings and mobile towers.
“We have roped in an agency to remove such scrap and will take action. We are also getting complaints regarding illegal power connection and will take action in this regard as well,” said Vijay Amruta Kulange, BMC Commissioner.
Several corporators have welcomed the move of the civic body.
“The action of illegal construction, hoarding and mobile towers by BMC is welcoming,” said Mihir Rout, corporator of ward no.1
Even though local residents have also welcomed the move, many apprehend that it will not yield any results as similar notifications were issued in the past as well. The residents alleged that most of the illegal rooftop hoardings and mobile towers have been installed on the property of several influential people and corporators as well.
“Many hoardings and towers have been installed on the premises of corporators and other influential people for which such norms are not being executed. We want that all such illegal hoardings should be removed within the stipulated timeframe,” said advocate Sriballav Sahu.
It is said that for this reason, any move to dismantle such illegal hoardings has not yielded desired results in the past. Such influential people usually suppress such notice by the BMC.