Politicians steal spotlight on Bonalu banners in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Though Bonalu is almost over, smiling politicians wishing people festive greetings aren’t budging from hoardings across the city. Expecting high footfall near temples, various political parties have put up banners and displayed advertisements on hoardings as well on unipoles.
While GHMC had banned display of advertisement on hoardings and unipoles till August 15, flex banners are permanently banned in GHMC limits. The decision was taken keeping in mind the past incidents of hoardings, billboards and unipoles collapsing during rains and gusty winds.
Some people dug city roads to insert two bamboo sticks and set up flex banners. Metro pillars in various parts of the city were ruined as posters were pasted on them. Even electric poles and street lights poles were not spared. Rectangular posters and flex banners were tied to the poles, making them an eyesore.
Banjara Hills Road Number 12, Raj Bhavan Road, Bowenpally (Secunderabad), Nampally, Goshamahal, Khairtabad, Chandanagar and Himayatnagar are some areas where huge flex banners have surfaced. Flex banners on hoardings is an age-old practice by politicians to impress their higher-ups.
Experts say that say that hoardings are dangerous during gusty winds.
“Periodic inspections should be conducted to check structural stability of hoardings and unipoles. Some people resort to digging of roads to erect flexies which is even more dangerous. They are a threat to commuters and pedestrians,” said SP Anchuri, VP of Structural Engineers World Congress, India.