Posters pose a significant hurdle in the Greater Chennai Corporation’s efforts in beautifying the city as they deface public places such as bridges, subways, walls and signboards. In 2022, the Corporation collected a fine of ₹16.5 lakh and according to a senior official, most posters contained political content.
Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi is determined to rid the city of posters and has initiated a series of efforts to prevent posters and remove existing ones. Councillors have been instructed to impose fines on those responsible for the posters. The fine for posters on the streets is ₹200, and ₹500 with a police complaint for posters on signboards.
“We do not discriminate between political parties while removing posters. Sometimes, we receive flak from party members and supporters for doing so,” said T.M. Thaniarasu, chairman, Zone-1 (Ward Committee), Tiruvottiyur. He said closer to an event or party functionary’s birthday, posters increased. This applied to all political parties.
Parties seek permission before putting up posters. “We impose fines on those who have signed at the bottom of the poster,” said S. Madhan Mohan, chairman, Teynampet zone (Ward Committee).
The Commissioner reviews the zone-wise situation at fortnightly meetings and has observed that posters on new boards have reduced. “We have ordered paintings on the walls and pillars of subways to prevent pasting of posters. These paintings depict culture, history and nature,” said the Commissioner.
Sanitation workers have been asked to remove posters during their rounds and the public was requested to cooperate with the Corporation in its efforts to end the menace.
