Despite continued efforts by the Greater Chennai Corporation to remove posters from all public walls, posters have now reappeared in many parts of the city.
In July, the corporation launched a campaign to keep the walls free of posters. By the first week of September, the civic body had removed 1,37,267 posters from 45,900 places across the city.
While a large number of walls are still clean, posters have been put up again in many places. A visit to some areas in the central and southern parts of the city revealed that the problem was particularly prevalent in sections of Anna Salai, Royapetta, Vadapalani, Kodambakkam, Taramani and Velachery.
A large number of posters were seen in various parts of Anna Salai. An example was the compound wall at one of the entrances to the Thousand Lights Metro Rail Station, where posters were pasted all around.
Posters of political parties and films were most common, followed by condolence posters. Posters of all political parties including the ruling party were seen in many places.
A senior official said there were difficulties in implementing the Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act. “It is a bit tedious. Most of these posters do not have proper contact with the printer or the person who put them. We need to catch them red-handed to take action. The fine is not that heavy,” said the official.
Vishu Mahajan, deputy commissioner of revenue and finance of the corporation, said that the removal of posters during the floods took a backseat, due to which more posters were visible. “The commissioner has already asked us to resume the activity. We are currently doing something as part of the ongoing massive cleanliness drive. More focus will be on clearing the posters in the next few weeks,” he said.
,