KMRL ‘no’ to poll graffiti on pillars

Kochi: With poll campaign set to intensify, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has warned against political parties and other agencies from using its structures for pasting postures and stickers.

“It has come to our notice that many agencies are pasting postures and stickers on metro pillars. The same is punishable under the Metro Railway Act 2002 which has stringent penal provisions against such defacement, including imprisonment up to six months and a fine of upto Rs 1000,” said an official.

The KMRL has used its social media handles like Facebook and Instagram to take the point to the public.

“We’ve already send notices against certain agencies found mentioned in such postures. However, one issue we faced was that often the agencies entrust the job to third parties who act according to their whims and fancies,” the official said.

The authorities are warned of taking legal action upon noticing such defacement in future. “CCTV cameras will be submitted as proof to take the case forward and the agency will be made accountable even if they have sub-contracted such activities,” he said.

While the metro authorities already cleaned or removed many such posters, they continue to pop up in places like pillars of the North flyover.

Meanwhile, the post evoked huge response in the social media with majority of viewers demanding legal action against the agencies.