Engineers’ group wants flag-shaped unipoles to be removed from roads

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 14

Raising questions over the installation of flag-shaped unipoles and other advertisement hoardings/billboards on roads, the Council of Engineers, a private organisation, has complained to Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, demanding an investigation into the matter. However, the MC officials claimed that there was no violation.

The group of engineers alleged that the advertisement structures including unipoles and hoardings were being installed on footpaths, at traffic junctions, adjoining to bridges and on roads within MC’s jurisdiction by going against the Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines as well as Outdoor Advertisement Policy, 2018.

In the complaint, Kapil Arora of the council said the advertisement structures were being installed at the risk of lives of commuters as well as the safety of pedestrians in Ludhiana.

“Advertisements on roadways can often effectively distract the attention of drivers of motor vehicles and can cause public hazard or nuisance. They also obstruct the view of the drivers of the fast moving vehicles and are always dangerous for the public. However, despite knowing the fact, a large number of flag poles have been installed within MC limits of Ludhiana. Such flag poles are not mentioned in the advertisement policy of 2018 too,” Arora complained.

They requested Chief Minister, Chief Secretary Punjab and Additional Chief Secretary Local Government to direct the officials concerned to investigate into the mater. Notably, the traders and shopkeepers of Feroze Gandhi Market have also opposed the installation of unipoles at the market.

MC Superintendent Charanjeet Singh said no rules are being violated for the installation of the unipoles.