Bengaluru's Election Banners Pose Grave Safety Threat to Commuters and Traffic

Bengaluru's Election Banners Pose Grave Safety Threat to Commuters and Traffic

In Bengaluru, a city already grappling with urban challenges, a new menace has emerged that directly threatens public safety. Cutouts, hoardings, and banners are proliferating at an alarming rate, creating hazardous conditions for commuters across all five city corporation limits. This surge coincides with the upcoming Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) elections, as 'Happy Birthday' banners and posters featuring new political faces have mushroomed overnight.

Obstructed Visibility and Immediate Dangers

These promotional materials are frequently erected on footpaths and near critical traffic signals, often supported by large, unstable wooden frames. A particularly egregious example occurred at Kundalahalli Circle on Old Airport Road, where a giant cutout was placed directly in front of a traffic signal, completely obstructing visibility for drivers. Following numerous complaints, local traffic police intervened to remove the banner. However, the 20-foot-tall wooden structure was left abandoned on the footpath, illustrating the piecemeal approach to enforcement.

A local traffic officer revealed the operational difficulties, stating, "We made multiple calls to get the banner removed. We don't even know when it was placed there. While we managed to remove the cutout, the structure remained. We'll ask GBA to get that removed as well." Similar hazardous structures can be seen across the city, turning routine commutes into perilous journeys.

Policy Gaps and Enforcement Failures

The civic authority introduced a new advertisement policy in January, designed to auction advertising rights and regulate public displays. Despite this, on the ground, banners and flex boards continue to proliferate unchecked. This marks the third such bylaw introduced in the past two years, yet corporations admit they are still struggling with implementation.

Ashish Nair, a resident of east Bengaluru, expressed his frustration, saying, "The red light isn't optional; neither is someone's safety. I commute daily via the Kundalahalli flyover, where the red signal regulates a busy intersection. Recently, a poster temporarily covered the signal, posing serious risks. Traffic signs must remain clearly visible. I raised the issue with traffic police, but was advised to approach the GBA." He emphasized that ensuring signals remain unobstructed should unequivocally fall within the responsibility of traffic authorities.

Systemic Challenges and Limited Manpower

While corporations publicly claim they are removing illegal flexes, officials privately admit that enforcement is severely hampered by limited manpower. Commissioners report a frustrating cycle: even after banners are cleared overnight, new ones appear the following day, creating a Sisyphean task for already stretched municipal staff.

Ramesh, from the South city corporation, clarified the legal standing, stating, "We're yet to call for tenders under the recent advertisement policy. There is strictly no provision to permit banners or flexes, so all these hoardings are illegal. The moment we are informed, we remove them. But with limited staff, we cannot monitor every corner."

Pommala Sunil Kumar, commissioner of the South city corporation, highlighted the broader enforcement dilemma, noting, "Handling banners and flexes has become a major problem. Even political parties must adhere to the blanket ban. It is difficult to identify who is putting them up unless there are CCTV cameras nearby. We cannot file an FIR without identifying the offenders. We'll find ways to tackle this."

Resident Concerns: Beyond Aesthetics to Safety and Environment

Residents argue that the issue transcends mere aesthetics, representing a tangible threat to public safety and environmental health. Selvarajan from Yelahanka articulated a common sentiment, saying, "These flex boards are harmful and mostly put up by political or religious groups. As citizens, we feel voiceless. Cloth festoons hanging from central barricades also pose a risk to vehicles. In Delhi, restrictions on advertisements helped. In Chennai, giant cutouts fell on commuters, causing deaths. Flex boards are environmentally harmful and dangerous."

H Eswarappa, from south Bengaluru, added a dual concern, stating, "First, plastic banners add to rubbish. Second, they distract riders near signals, increasing the risk of accidents. My biggest concern is distraction and safety."

Election Fears and the Need for Strict Enforcement

With elections drawing nearer, residents fear the city may soon be inundated with even more banners and cutouts, exacerbating existing risks. The consensus among citizens and officials alike is that without strict, consistent enforcement of the advertisement policy currently only existing on paper, Bengaluru's streets will become increasingly hazardous. The combination of political campaigning, limited municipal resources, and lax accountability creates a perfect storm that endangers every commuter navigating the city's thoroughfares.