Coimbatore: Images of political leaders from posters, flex boards and banners have gone, instead their photographs are printed on a giant-sized balloon strategically hoisted near a new flyover in Coimbatore, that will be inaugurated by Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Wednesday.
The move to use balloons to welcome political leaders instead of the traditional flex boards, banners and posters comes after a recent Madras high court order banning hoardings and banners with images of living persons.
While AIADMK loyalists are jubilant to sight images of their leaders flying high, activists at the ground level are concerned about the impact on road users.
"Considering this junction is frequently used by motorists and pedestrians, the idea to put up images of leaders on balloons hoisted here will distract road users. I do not see why the public should go out of their way to greet leaders who have done little or nothing for us? Also, the high court has issued the ban considering the safety of road users. This new idea will do more harm than good," Mr A. Ma-
noj, a civic activist said.
Sheema Pillai, a student of Social Work, who uses this stretch frequently, told Deccan Chronicle that "political leaders must not allow their images to be hoisted on balloons. The court has issued a ban on using images of living people on posters banners, hoardings and flex boards keeping safety of road users in mind. The balloons will serve the purpose of welcoming leaders at the same time they are sure to distract road users and cause road accidents."
The flyover, connecting arterial roads, has been built at a cost of Rs 195 crore. The balloon also has photographs of local administration minister S. P. Velumani and city MLAs Amman K Arjunan and P. R. G. Arun Kumar.
