Corporation nod for bylaw on illegal hoardings

KOCHI: In a move aimed at curbing the rise in the number of illegal flex hoardings erected at various locations in the city, the Kochi Corporation has introduced a bylaw to keep a check on such advertisements. The special council of the civic body that met on Thursday gave the nod for the bylaw in principle.The new bylaw is in tune with the guidelines issued by the Indian Road Congress (IRC).“The IRC norms clearly specify that hoardings erected on the sides of roads should be at a minimum distance of 50 metres from the road and at least 15-metres high. The bylaw also restricts the erection of advertisement boards on the walls of historic monuments, public parks, public buildings and traffic islands.They should not block the view of the motorists, wayside buildings and must not affect pedestrians,” Mayor Tony Chammany said.He added that as per the bylaw, the advertisers will need to obtain permission in writing from the Corporation Secretary before placing advertisement boards in the city.