DHAKA North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq on Friday said, as reported in the press, that the City Corporation would take legal action against those who put up unauthorized billboards and posters in the capital. Huge number of unauthorized billboards have made the city skyline ugly all around and are causes of constant concern of the city dwellers because of the danger they pose to public life and property. Many billboards were set up in an unplanned way, in many cases illegally, and for lack of proper maintenance, these structures are becoming dangerously unsafe.
The DNCC in last October formulated a draft guideline proposing ban on billboards at turnings and crossings in Dhaka city area but no effecting step is seen yet. Though large number of billboards and posters are used to advertise commercial products and services but using billboards and posters for self-propagating by ruling party men are now the most dominating fact. For a safer and clean Dhaka, the DNCC (and also DSCC) should establish rule of law, meaning nobody would be spared regardless their purpose.
According to news reports, at least three people were killed and 14 hurt in billboard collapse in the city since 2009. Insiders said that in Dhaka South there are about 900 legal billboards against some 1,500 illegal ones. Dhaka North has now about 1,500 approved billboards and some 1,200 illegal ones. It sounds bold when the DNCC Mayor says “don’t force us to conduct drives along with magistrates”. But his firm stance against commercial publicity through illegal billboards and posters would not brush up the city’s cleanliness till the embargo imposes on the ruling party-men who are frantically trying for drawing attention of high-ups through billboard displays. As per rules, anyone putting up a billboard or a poster or any other such materials in the city must take prior permission from the respective City Corporation.
The DNCC has become vibrant this time as the High Court on Thursday asked the two City Corporations to explain what actions they have taken for removing unauthorized billboards, banners, posters and other publicity materials from the city. In response to the Court direction, the DNCC removed 200 banners and billboards amidst the countless numbers of new banners, posters and festoons marring the city. But, the Mayor admitted that political and government billboards will always remain there and the DNCC will always give permission for setting them up. That is at the end of the day, there will be no real change — it will remain ‘business as usual.’
Both City Corporations should reasonably allow commercial billboards by ensuring road safety and city’s beauty. Along these, political use of billboards and gluing posters in self-propaganda — by the party activists all over the city — should be limited by the City Corporations. As Metro City, Dhaka should have a decent look.
