Hoardings crop up in Amaravati region

Guntur: Hoardings have made their way into the capital villages even before the actual construction of c has started. The big hoardings, which are used for advertising in towns and cities, have become a common sight in the sleepy capital villages too.

With the arrival of temporary Secretariat at Velagapudi, activity has increased in the surrounding villages. Mandadam, Velagapudi and Venkatapalem are witnessing regular inflow of people coming for various works at the Secreta-riat. The villages, which are otherwise sleepy, have become abuzz with the vehicles going in and out.

As the regular government business has started from Velagapudi, the advertisers have also started to cash in on the situation. They have set up huge permanent hoardings on top of the houses. In Mandadam village alone, as many as 20 big hoardings have been set up on top of the houses. All these hoardings were set up in such a way as to catch the eye of the commuters.

As agriculture has been completely stopped, people in the capital region are looking for alternative sources of income.

With the demand for hoardings gaining momentum, people from the capital region were quick to grab the opportunity and renting their houses to the advertising agencies to make some extra bucks. These hoardings are being put up with permission from the local panchayats.

M. Krishna Rao, a resident of Mandadam, said that the advertising agency was paying '3,000 per month as rent.

“They have installed the hoarding without causing any damage to our property. So we have agreed to set up the hoarding on our house. After all, who will refuse a regular income,” he said.