Advertisers make a fast buck from illegal ads at bus shelters

Unauthorised advertisements continue to be displayed at bus shelters across the city. Though these bus shelters are already in a poor shape, advertisers continue to use them to earn money illegally that too under the nose of the municipal corporation (MC).

No advertiser has the permission to install advertisements at bus shelters, but the MC has failed to take action. Sources said some officials at zonal levels were allegedly involved in supporting these advertisers to install illegal advertisements.

Interestingly, the MC recently floated tenders for ‘Erection of state of the art street furniture project’ under which 80 bus queue shelters will be erected where advertisers can display advertisements only after getting permission. However, tenders are yet to be opened following which the contract will be given to a firm fulfilling all requirements.

An MC employee, requesting anonymity, said, “These advertisements are illegal. Earlier, the MC had entered into an agreement with a firm which was not only supposed to display advertisements, but it also had to ensure maintenance of bus shelters. At present, no firm is looking after these bus shelters. The officials concerned are hand in gloves with advertisers.”

On visiting a bus shelter near Gulmor Hotel on Ferozepur Road, three persons were found installing illegal advertisements. One of them said, “We have been sent by a firm named ‘Advantage’. We were asked to install the advertisements but we do not know about any permission.”

Besides, almost bus shelters display these illegal advertisements, raising a question on the working of the officials concerned.

When contacted, MC assistant commissioner, Satwant Singh said, “We will take strict action against advertisers and others who are responsible for displaying these illegal advertisements. A drive will be conducted to remove all these advertisements from bus shelters in the city.”