The city has become a hub of activity with a number of cultural and sports activities and political leaders visiting it often. Their supporters turn every occasion into a show of strength by gathering in big numbers, bursting crackers, taking out processions etc.
With transport facilities improving, people from the neighbouring districts are also converging on the city in a big number to welcome their leaders. Every time a political leader comes to the city huge hoardings are put up. Also all along the roads hoardings are set up generally using the poles on the road-dividers. This happens on the national highway as well as on the thoroughfares in the city. The situation is particularly daunting at junctions where traffic gets stopped for regulation and the maximum number of hoardings is put up there to catch the attention of people.
One problem with the hoarding is with the traffic choc-a-block, they come in the way of negotiating vehicles. With roads dug up or undergoing repairs, the available space at some places is shrunk. The projection onto the road by a few inches also causes difficulties during peak hours. The problem is aggravated with their obstructing the view particularly at turnings. Sometimes, it tests the skills of a driver. For instance, a hording close to the turning obstructs the view of the driver. If for some reason the vehicle ahead stops the hoarding does not enable the one behind to see what exactly the position of the vehicle ahead.
Police generally ensure whether the organisers have permission or not. But other problems relating to smooth flow of traffic seem to be escaping their attention though vehicular flow is controlled.
“There definitely is inconvenience owing to the fixing of hoardings,” admits Circle Inspector (Traffic) of North sub-division A. Srinivasa Rao.
If there are any specific problems they are addressed and if a particular hoarding is a hindrance it is removed, he says. However, no specific attention is paid to the inconvenience caused by hoardings in general and the safety hazards they might cause. The next time we will study the manner in which the hoardings are placed, whether they are causing any problem, he says.
