Nagpur: The rampant defacement of Nagpur by illegal hoardings mainly put up by political parties with images of big guns exposes the shabby affairs being run by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) authorities. The declaration of making Nagpur a Smart City remained on paper. It further highlights that action against illegal hoardings was made difficult by the political class and that illegal hoardings were in fact even displayed congratulating or welcoming such political leaders for one reason or another.
With Lok Sabha elections drawing closer, political parties have started putting up hoardings in lots. NMC is in fact losing crores in revenue because political parties are preferring illegal hoardings over regular commercial sites. These huge illegal hoardings have come up along many roads and traffic signals across Nagpur in brazen violation of the court orders.
Illegal hoardings, often adorned with images of political leaders, have proliferated across Nagpur. This not only tarnishes the aesthetic appeal of the city but also underscores the lack of effective governance by the NMC. The declaration of Nagpur as a Smart City appears to be only on paper, with rampant defacement continuing unchecked.
With Lok Sabha elections drawing closer, political parties are intensifying the placement of hoardings, leading to a substantial loss in revenue for the NMC. The preference for illegal hoardings over legitimate commercial sites is a notable trend, with huge displays violating court orders, congratulating or welcoming political leaders for various reasons.
Despite repeated orders from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court to remove illegal hoardings, the situation persists due to the apparent apathy of NMC and city police officials. The political class’s influence has made it challenging to take decisive action against these violations. Numerous hoardings and banners, both by political parties and other entities, defy court orders at busy squares, junctions, and along inner roads.
NMC officials and city police have been largely indifferent to the recurrent menace of illegal hoardings. The failure to enforce court directives and remove unauthorized displays reflects poorly on the diligence of zonal officers and local police station staff. A more vigilant approach from these authorities is crucial to curbing the proliferation of illegal hoardings in Nagpur.
The NMC and city police must actively enforce court directives to remove illegal hoardings promptly. Political parties and candidates should be held accountable for violating regulations, and stringent action should be taken against them. NMC zonal officers and local police stations should enhance their vigilance to prevent the unauthorized placement of hoardings. Implement measures to ensure that hoarding placements contribute revenue to the civic body, discouraging the current trend of illegal installations.
If one takes a tour of many localities in Second Capital of Maharashtra, one will find huge hoardings and banners put up illegally at many busy squares across internal roads, some major junctions and also on inner ring road by political parties and also coaching institutes and others. Many aspiring candidates for the civic body elections have put up banners to woo voters. Hoardings of leaders of all major parties can be seen violating High Court orders, exposing NMC’s apathy.
The unabated proliferation of illegal hoardings in Nagpur is indicative of systemic failures in governance and enforcement. Immediate and concerted efforts from the NMC, city police, and political stakeholders are imperative to restore the city’s aesthetic appeal and uphold the rule of law.
