Pura Dagalbajilu? MAPS Director Confronts MCC Officials for Removing Institution Hoarding
- Pura Dagalbajilu? Mangalore Academy of Professional Studies {MAPS} Institution Director Confronts Mangaluru City Corporation {MCC} Officials for Removing Institution Hoarding
Mangaluru: It was time once again for Mangaluru City Corporation {MCC} officials along with labourers to go around the City to remove illegal banners/hoardings/posters on Monday, 30 July. The funny part is that even after constant removal of these illegals publicity materials by MCC, people still don’t change in their behaviour. Seems like there is a hoarding/billboard/banner epidemic in Mangaluru! At every nook and corner of the city, you will see illegal hoardings or banners advertising about school admissions, opening of a showroom or shifting of a supermarket, concert or beach party announcements, conventions or public gathering announcements etc etc- and the funny part is that none of these has permission from the Mangaluru City Corporation to put them up. Then why is MCC not doing anything about this illegal practice, which is losing revenue due to these free advertising?
But at one instance today during their hoardings/banners removal drive, the MCC had to face some harsh words from a Director of an institution in Mangaluru. After most of the illegal hoardings./banners were removed in the City, including hoardings of the just-released Tulu Film “Dagalbajilu”, the MCC officials had reached near C V Nayak Hall/Kadri Kambla Road, where on a complaint made by a resident in that area, had to remove the hoardings of Mangalore Academy of Professional Studies (MAPS) Institution, managed by Pavoor Education Trust; and Chinmaya Education Institutions, on C V Nayak/Kadri Road. While the labourers of MCC were busy knocking down the hoardings, the Director of MAPS who got the news, came dashing to the spot and started yelling at the MCC officials and also the labourers.
The dialogues from the Director of MAPS in Tulu confronting the MCC officials was just like you see in the movies? “Neekulu Pura Dagalbajilu”? Taking to task one of the MCC officer, the Director said, “How dare you remove my institution banner, without notifying me or any member of the institution. The place where we had our hoarding is not illegal, it just informs people about our prestigious institution and its location. So what was the reason to remove the hoarding, while there are many such hoardings around here, which have been not touched by you all {showing one hoarding of Maruti Nexa Showroom, which is in front of CV Nayak hall}. In response, the MCC officer said that they were doing their job on orders from MCC Revenue Officer and local MLA, so there was no point in arguing with them.
After much argument and heated exchange of words, the Director said that he will take this matter to court for discrimination by MCC, allowing some hoardings to stay, and remove others, giving a hint at the Maruti Nexa Showroom hoarding {See Pic in report}. Seemed liked not a good day for the MCC officials to deal with a not so happy citizen of Mangaluru. Oh well, in govt jobs you have to face criticisms and other circumstances. Having end with the conversation on both sides, the MCC officials left the scene to carry on with their clean up job, while the director walked to his institution. What will happen next, is between MCC and the Director of MAPS!
Call it them examples of advertising vandalism, visual pollution or label them as the pox of outdoor advertising…or simply call them hoardings or billboards! Though I am not against advertising, the number of hoardings/flex banners in our City have reached epidemic proportions and I have developed an allergy to them. And guess what…most of them are illegal! Seems like ours is one of the few cities in the country where permission to put up hoardings is given easily or bribing the concerned official and where illegal billboards are ignored, specially those put up by political parties, businesses, coaching institutes, show organizers etc
Currently, the main areas flaunting’ these hoardings include Hampankatta Circle, Clock Tower Circle, Kankanady Pumpwell, Bunts Hostel Circle, Jyothi Circle, Lady Hill Circle, MG Road, among others. Most of these advertisers are yet to follow the norms. As per court ruling, these hoardings are “hazardous to traffic”. But the problem with MCC is that they will get into action for one day and remove all the illegal hoardings, and thereafter for a month or two months, they keep quiet.
MAPS Director wanted to know from the MCC Officials “Why this Hoarding on a public property NOT Removed/Dismantled?”
MCC needs to ban these illegal hoardings-areas are to be designated as “no-hoardings zones”. Strict action should be taken against those breaking the laws. All hoardings that compromise road safety are to be removed, especially those at Hampankatta Circle. MCC should launch a drive to remove all illegal billboards immediately, and also warn about fines if hoardings are erected illegally. MCC should remove hoardings from city junctions as they are a hazard to traffic. In any case hoardings/flex banners, whether legal or illegal, should not be allowed to deface natural beauty, the city’s skyline, or cause safety hazards. No-hoarding zones are the need of the hour!
