Mysuru City Corporation will begin removing unauthorised advertising and flex boards across the city from Wednesday as part of an enforcement drive aimed at keeping public spaces free of illegal publicity material during Dasara.
The civic body has directed elected representatives, political parties, associations, organisations, event organisers and residents not to install unauthorised banners, posters or flex boards. Those who have already put up such material have been asked to remove it voluntarily by October 7.
MCC commissioner MK Savitha has ordered a complete ban on installing banners and flex boards without authorisation across Mysuru. The civic body has warned that violations may lead to legal action. MCC teams will begin physically removing the material from Wednesday, with the enforcement continuing after the festival, according to the corporation.
The drive follows a Dasara preparedness review meeting held last week, during which Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that this year’s celebrations would be a “flex-free Dasara”. He also instructed officials to prohibit unauthorised flex boards and said that leaders’ photographs, including his own, should not appear on advertising material during the festival.
MCC officials said the ban would not cover Dasara-related boards and banners that provide useful information to residents and visitors, provided they have approval from the competent authority. The distinction places responsibility on organisers and advertisers to secure permission before putting up any publicity or information material in the city.
Monitoring will be intensified at public spaces, along main roads and on procession routes. Enforcement teams will pay particular attention to the stretch between Mysuru Palace and Banni Mantap Grounds, as well as important entry and exit points used during the festival. Festival venues will also be covered under the monitoring plan.
The corporation said promotional materials installed illegally would be removed and that proceedings could be initiated against those responsible under provisions of the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1981. Penalties may also be imposed, although the civic body has not specified the amount of the penalties in the information provided.
The enforcement action makes the city’s festival preparation dependent not only on roads, venues and visitor management but also on the regulation of temporary publicity in public spaces. For residents and visitors, the immediate change will be visible along major routes and around Dasara locations, where unauthorised boards and banners are expected to be removed.
MCC has asked stakeholders to comply voluntarily before the removal operation begins. The corporation’s teams are scheduled to start the physical enforcement drive on Wednesday, while the prohibition is set to remain in force beyond the Dasara period.
