Vikramaditya
Port Blair, May 22: There was a time when the Port Blair Municipal Council strictly enforced regulations against unauthorized posters being pasted around the city. However, this strictness appears to have waned, leading to a proliferation of posters on every available surface in prominent locations.
The city is now littered with hundreds of posters advertising everything from tuition centers and massage parlors to cement shops, broadband services, and even black magic. These posters can be easily spotted at key junctions, bus stops, retaining walls, outside colleges, and other significant buildings.
This unchecked proliferation of posters not only defaces the city but also tarnishes the reputation of the Port Blair Municipal Council, which is striving to transform Port Blair into a smart city. It seems that some individuals have adopted an easy marketing strategy by plastering large posters all around the city, taking advantage of the apparent lack of oversight.
Previously, the Municipal Council imposed strict fines on those who posted unauthorized advertisements. In some cases even police complaints were lodged. There was a system in place where one had to pay a fee to display posters, and these had to be removed after a certain period. Unfortunately, it now appears that these rules are no longer enforced, with many posters remaining in place for months on end.
The lack of regulation has resulted in an unsightly and cluttered cityscape. The Port Blair Municipal Council must take immediate action to address this issue. There is an urgent need to verify whether these posters have been placed with proper authorization and to remove those that are not. Restoring the city to its former clean and orderly state is essential for maintaining its beauty and reputation.
The residents of Port Blair urge the Municipal Council to reinstate the strict measures that once kept the city free of unauthorized posters and to ensure that the rules are enforced consistently to preserve the city’s charm and aesthetic appeal.
