Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The municipal corporation has announced strict action against the installation of illegal hoardings in public places across the city. Authorities have warned that criminal cases will be directly registered against those responsible. In the event of an accident caused by such hoardings leading to loss of life, charges of culpable homicide will be filed against the concerned individuals.
For years, leaders and workers from various political parties have openly put up unauthorised hoardings without considering the potential risk to public safety. Whenever the municipal corporation conducted drives to remove such hoardings, between 5,000 and 7,000 small and large hoardings were found.
The issue gained prominence in January after a municipal employee died from an electric shock while removing an illegal hoarding. Since then, the matter has come under serious scrutiny. Mayor Sameer Rajurkar has also taken a firm stance, leading to some reduction in the practice.
However, illegal hoardings continue to appear on main roads and in narrow lanes. Taking a decisive step on Thursday, the anti-encroachment section reiterated its strict policy. Santosh Wahule, the department’s coordinating officer, warned that those putting up illegal hoardings will face criminal prosecution, and in case of any fatal accident, charges of culpable homicide will be registered.