Kerala transport department orders removal of unsafe ads
Mobile platforms only in non-peak hours.
Thiruvananthapuram: The transport department has issued an order urging authorities including police, transport commissioner and district collectors on the removal of advertisements engendering road safety.
It clearly states that advertising on mobile platforms should be allowed only at non-peak hours on working days.
The order was issued as per the Section 21 (1) of the Disaster Management Act 2005 and also based on the state policy on outdoor advertising prepared by the NATPAC in consultation with departments of transport, works, local self-government department, disaster management and road safety.
As per the norms, mobile platforms for advertisements will be allowed on public roads only from 11.30 am to 3.30 pm and 8.30 pm to 7.30 am on working days. No raised or extended platforms will be allowed for advertisements, and they should not extend outside the body of the vehicle carrying it.
Moreover, the boards should not be illuminated. However, lighting is allowed to make it visible at night. No audible sound, either from pre-recorded audio tracks or live music and speech will not be allowed on such advertisements.
Shops and other establishments will not be allowed to display boards with dimensions exceeding the frontage height or width of the building. These boards can be used only to display their shop name, logo, shop number, floor number and contact number.
No outdoor advertisements, either permanent or temporary, are allowed on footpaths, shoulders, carriageways, medians, green zone, landscaped area or trees which form part of the row. No outdoor advertisement should be allowed within 50 metres from the edge of the road or footpath, whichever, is nearer. The outdoor advertisement will not be allowed to use temporary fasteners like rope, wine and threats. They have to use permanent fasteners like clamps.
Moreover, such ads will not be allowed on utility posts, poles, bus stops, bus shelters, or other structures owned by agencies like KSEB, BSNL and KSRTC.