80 spots sanctioned, but over 600 illegal hoardings in Gurugram

Sanjay Yadav

Gurugram, February 3

Among several civic issues plaguing the city, defacement is emerging as a major challenge. While the city has only 80 spots earmarked for hoardings, the MC has so far identified over 600 illegal boards.

A majority of the hoardings are thronging the new Gurugram area, Dwarka and Delhi-Jaipur expressways, Sohna Road, Pataudi Road, Badshahpur and Kherki Daula toll plaza.

Though the MC is carrying daily drives but illegal hoardings are still coming up in the city. Local builders are being cited as the biggest culprits. Advertisement groups offer monthly packages wherein they guarantee that the hoarding will be put up and not removed from the specific spot for stipulated time.

Sources claim that several groups, who were openly contacting prospective customers promising them to ‘take care of the MC’, had become active along the Dwarka expressway. Interestingly, a majority operate through WhatsApp calls and take fee in cash.

“You decide on how much time you want to keep the hoarding on for and we will guarantee the same. It can stay longer than the stipulated time if anti-hoarding drive does not happen,” one of the agents said.

“A majority of the premium sites are not legit and these people charge five times. I paid the money for three months but my hoarding was removed in 15 days and now, these people are not returning the amount,” said a Sohna-based builder.

Meanwhile, the MC has issued a warning against any such groups and asked people to report them.