Kochi Corporation goes strong against billboards

KOCHI: The civic body could remove several illegal billboards and publicity materials from various parts of the city during the two-day intensive drive carried out on Thursday and Friday. Several truckloads of unauthorized flex boards and stickers from city areas have been removed by the special squads formed by the civic body.

The publicity materials collected from major city areas have been dumped at the corporation Edappally zonal office. As there is stiff opposition from the councillors and local residents against piling up of billboards at the zonal office, the civic body will soon invite tenders for its sale.

Mayor Soumini Jain initiated the intensive two-day drive to make the city free of illegal billboards. A meeting convened by the Mayor has decided to restrict the displaying of election campaign materials during the Assembly polls.

Though former mayor Tony Chammany initiated a similar drive seeking the support of political parties, social, cultural and caste organisations, it failed to succeed due to their non-cooperation.