Kolkata2 hours agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
Durga Puja means a large number of advertisements across Kolkata. This year, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has introduced stricter rules to control the installation of hoardings, banners and flexes during the festival.
According to civic sources, Puja organisers will now have to obtain permission from the KMC before putting up hoardings, banners or flexes on city roads. The initiative is reportedly being introduced by the civic body for the first time this year.
Applications to be submitted between September 20 and 25
According to the KMC, Puja organisers must apply to the civic body’s Advertisement Department between September 20 and 25. Applications can be submitted between 10 am and 5 pm.
The civic body has said that no hoarding, flex or banner can be installed before October 3. All Puja-related hoardings must be removed by October 29.
Temporary bamboo gates capped at 22 feet
The KMC has also fixed a height limit for temporary bamboo gates used for advertisements. Such structures on roads cannot be more than 22 feet high.
Every year, bamboo structures are put up near major Puja pandals to display hoardings, banners and flexes. In many cases, these structures and advertisements remained on the roads even after the Puja ended.
Hoardings must not obstruct roads and facilities
Organisers will have to ensure that hoardings, banners and flexes do not obstruct existing permanent hoardings, street lights or passenger shelters.
The size of the proposed hoarding or banner must also be mentioned in the application submitted to the civic body.
Permission details must be displayed
The KMC has further directed that every approved hoarding must carry the civic body’s permission ID, the name of the Puja committee and the advertiser’s name and phone number.
The civic body has warned that legal action may be taken if organisers violate the prescribed rules.
