CPM meet: Hoardings, banners flooding city

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city witnesses a violation of rules ahead of every meeting of political parties. This time, it’s the turn of the CPM, which is gearing up for the state convention at Thiruvananthapuram. Flouting norms, hoardings are being placed over poles of streetlights and on the sides of footpaths. Small pavilions can be seen even at islands in junctions. This is against the rule which bans hoardings and banners on roads developed under the City Roads Improvement Project (CRIP).Though there is violation of norms, the Left-ruled Corporation or the authorities of CRIP have not questioned it. In some spots, the pavilions have even ruined the buffalo grass bordering the footpaths.However, the banners and hoardings are likely to stay there till the end of the convention, scheduled to be held next month. Banners and flags are not allowed on the city roads as per the Highways Act, which is applicable to CRIP roads too.However, the Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Limited (TRDCL), concessionaire of the CRIP, has not served notices on the CPM leaders so far. TRDCL is in charge of maintenance of the roads.The hoardings are blocking footpaths in some areas along the Vellayambalam-Museum stretch. Pavilions made of cloth can be seen at every junction. A pavilion blocks the footpath at the Sasthamangalam Junction. One is erected on the island at Vellayambalam. Not that it just  blocks the way, the banners and hoardings tied over poles pose a threat to pedestrians and motorists.Apart from the hoardings of the CPM state convention, those about new schemes of the UDF Government too can be seen on the roadsides.G Happykumar, Deputy Mayor, said that the Corporation cannot take action under the Municipality Act since the hoardings are not advertisements. “We can’t point out a single political party. All are erecting hoardings. We will convene a meeting of all political parties in March to discuss on the issue,” he said.