The Hindu : Front Page : Way cleared for hoardings on bus shelters

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Wednesday, Nov 19, 2008
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Way cleared for hoardings on bus shelters

Deepa H Ramakrishnan and Kannal Achuthan

— Photo: S. Thanthoni

SOURCE OF REVENUE: Modernised bus shelters such as this one opposite the Secretariat will sport advertisement panels.

CHENNAI: The State government has amended the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Licensing of Hoardings and Levy and Collection of Advertisement Tax Rules, 2003, to permit advertisement hoardings on bus shelters and public conveniences constructed by the Chennai Corporation.

The maximum size of the hoardings permitted is 3 m x 9 m (horizontal position), irrespective of the road width. However, the hoardings should be erected only after leaving sufficient space for the use of pedestrians.

The civic body had planned to modernise bus shelters and public toilets in the city by engaging project developers who could generate revenue from advertisement panels on the facilities. The Supreme Court ruling against unlicensed hoardings in April had delayed the project and the existing rules had no mention of hoardings on bus shelters or public conveniences.

The Corporation had sought amendment of the rules to go ahead with the modernisation of bus shelters and public conveniences based on the advertisement revenue model. The Corporation Council had approved the sanctioning of advertising rights on 367 stainless steel bus shelters proposed in the city to Jindal Stainless Ltd.

A senior official said the local body intends to modernise 1,000 more shelters. The civic body could earn Rs.50 crore a year through awarding of advertising rights and royalty. The tenders for these shelters would be floated soon. As for public conveniences, about 80 facilities located in prime areas have been identified and tenders would be floated in a week. The Corporation plans not to charge for the use of public conveniences, which would be of international standard.

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