Pune: Wadgaonsheri Residents Express Concerns Over Rising Flex Banners and Hoardings; Call for PMC Action
Anaum Shaikh
Wadgaonsheri, 24th October 2023: The residents of Wadgaonsheri are grappling with a surge in the prevalence of flex banners and hoardings, causing substantial disruptions to both traffic flow and pedestrians on the footpaths.
Concerned residents are urging the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to take proactive measures in enforcing regulations and imposing fines on those responsible for this visual clutter. They emphasize the need for political leaders to instruct their workers to comply with regulations and initiate awareness campaigns to discourage the use of such banners.
Vice Chair of Team Swatch Kalyani Nagar, Drayson Dixon, voiced the residents’ frustrations, stating, “Illegal flexes and banners have been a persistent issue, often appearing overnight in prominent locations. These obstruct footpaths, private walls, and traffic lines at crucial junctions, posing hazards to both motorists and pedestrians. While we’ve seen a reduction in these flex boards in the past 2 to 3 months, we urge the PMC to impose significant fines on those responsible.”
Hasham Patel, PMC Flex Encroachment Inspector, acknowledged ongoing efforts, saying, “We conducted encroachment removal in Wagholi today, and Kalyani Nagar is on our agenda for this week. Notices are issued, and we fine banner owners Rs. 1000 per flex. Failure to pay can result in filing an FIR.”
The Environment Department’s proposal to ban various plastic materials, including flex boards, banners, and flags, has received approval from the Maharashtra state Cabinet. This ban, sanctioned under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, covers materials like vinyl or PVC, commonly used in flex banners and hoardings.
Residents stress the importance of addressing the availability of such materials in the market, calling for PMC raids on companies selling these products despite the ban. They expect PMC to implement stricter regulations and penalties, promote digital marketing and the use of biodegradable materials, and highlight the adverse environmental impact of flex boards.
This community initiative in Wadgaonsheri aims to contribute to transforming Pune into a cleaner and safer city, reflecting the collective determination of residents to address environmental concerns in their locality.
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