Hyderabad High Court tells GHMC to bring down hoardings, flexies

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Monday expressed its displeasure with the GHMC for allowing political parties and individuals to display hoardings, flexies and cutouts on the city streets.

A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Dilip B. Bhosale and Justice P. Naveen Rao was dealing with a PIL filed by Telangana Vanarula Parirakshana Committee, seeking to declare the action of GHMC authorities in not taking proper care and caution while granting permissions for hoardings and flex boards and collecting improper taxes as illegal. The petitioner urged the court to direct the GHMC and the government to constitute a high-level committee comprising technicians and experts to monitor the issue of granting permissions for hoardings and flex boards and by fixing and collecting proper taxes in the city.

When GHMC counsel claimed that there were no unauthorised hoardings, the bench said that it was an unbelievable statement as they (the judges) saw several cutouts and flexies etc. while travelling to court daily.

The bench said that they had noticed many flexies and posters on road margins and medians displaying birthday wishes to politicians, individuals and celebrities and questioned the practice.

“Hyderabad being the capital for both states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, several leaders of political parties visit the city for various purposes and political parties have to maintain some discipline while displaying flexies and cutouts welcoming their party leaders,” it said.

While making it clear that it would not allow rampant unauthorised display of cutouts, hoardings etc. the bench ordered the GHMC to spell out its stand on regulating the unauthorised hoardings within two weeks.