The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has intensified its crackdown on the unauthorised placement of banners and flexes across the city, submitting detailed affidavits to the High Court of Karnataka. These affidavits outline the proactive measures taken to mitigate this long-standing issue, including the enforcement of stringent penalties against violators. Despite these ongoing efforts, a faction continues to defy the regulations, prompting further legal scrutiny and action.
In a recent affidavit, the BBMP Chief Commissioner highlighted the comprehensive instructions issued to printing establishments, mandating adherence to the BBMP Act’s provisions. The affidavit explicitly warned of severe consequences for those found printing banners and flexes without the requisite permissions. The BBMP has made it clear that such infractions, detected during unannounced inspections by officials or law enforcement, will attract immediate legal action, citing violations under Sections 158 and 307 of the BBMP Act.
To bolster these efforts, the BBMP has constituted 196 enforcement teams and has conducted an extensive survey of printing presses, identifying 282 in total and serving notices to 277 of these facilities. Recent enforcement actions have led to raids in the Mahadevapura and Rajarajeshwari Nagar zones, resulting in the seizure of 40 kilograms of printing materials. The BBMP has removed a staggering 9,761 illegal banners and flexes, filed 194 complaints, registered 154 FIRs, and collected over Rs 309,400 in penalties from the violators.
Public participation has been a cornerstone of this initiative, with the BBMP actively encouraging citizens to report illegal banners through the 1533 Sahaya helpline. Enforcement teams are diligently addressing these complaints, with revenue inspectors, assessors, and junior engineers working in tandem with local police to conduct nocturnal patrols, aimed at deterring the nocturnal installation of unauthorised banners and flexes.
In a stern warning, the High Court of Karnataka, in its order dated August 2, 2023, indicated that persistent violations would lead to substantial fines of up to Rs 1,00,000 per infraction. This decree was reiterated in the subsequent order on January 18, 2024. The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 25, underscoring the necessity for vigilant monitoring and prevention of illegal hoardings and flexes to ensure pedestrian safety and regulate traffic, particularly during the monsoon.
The High Court also cautioned that any significant lapses or negligence by BBMP or police officials would warrant judicial intervention upon filing an appropriate application by concerned petitioners. The court further expressed its intent to address the broader implications of illegal flexes and advertisements beyond the city limits of Bengaluru and throughout the state in forthcoming hearings.
