BMC Forms Teams to Remove Political Posters

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has created special teams to take down posters, banners and billboards related to politics across the city before the upcoming elections.

BMC Makes Special Teams for Removal Work

With Odisha soon having Panchayat and Urban Elections, political parties have put up promotional banners, posters and billboards in Bhubaneswar. To beautify the city, the BMC has made special teams to remove these materials.

On Friday, the BMC enforcement squad and police took down unauthorized banners, posters and billboards in busy areas like Master Canteen Square, Vani Vihar Square, KIIT Square, Rupali Square and Tamarindo. These areas had become hubs for political advertising by different parties and leaders.

LawBreakers to be Fined Under Odisha Civic Body Act

BMC deputy commissioner Suvendu Sahoo said strict action will be taken against those who have installed political materials without approval. As per the Odisha Municipal Act, lawbreakers can be fined Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 based on the advertisement size.

The special teams will do regular checks across Bhubaneswar to find political posters, banners and billboards put up illegally. These will be removed quickly without warning the lawbreakers.

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Drive to Cover All Parts of Bhubaneswar

According to the BMC, the special drive will target all main roads, squares and public places in the city where promotional content has come up without permission. This is being done to improve the look and feel before the elections.

The enforcement teams have also been told to remove old abandoned election materials from previous elections hanging on walls or lying on streets. The BMC wants to free the city of old, torn political posters/banners that are an eyesore. The removal efforts will become more intense in the coming weeks as campaigning increases. Political parties have been told to get approval before any advertising. The BMC aims to proactively stop unauthorized materials and keep the city looking clean amidst the election season.