7 months ago
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The Coimbatore Consumer Cause has raised objections to the State government’s amendment to the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023, which permits illuminated advertisements connected roadworthy medians.
In a announcement to the Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department, the organisation’s secretary, K. Kathirmathiyon, said the amendment issued done G.O. No. 3 dated January 7, 2025, was not publically disposable and allows 1.0 m × 0.6 m advertisements connected medians, antecedently banned by the authorities and courts.
“The amendment came to our announcement lone erstwhile advertizing firms approached section bodies seeking support to erect specified displays. We, then, issued a contempt announcement to the Chennai Corporation Commissioner and the MAWS Secretary aft learning that Chennai Corporation was considering allowing advertisements connected medians,” said Mr. Kathirmathiyon.
The user assemblage recalled successful its announcement its nationalist involvement litigation filed successful 2019 successful the Madras High Court aft a 23-year-old pistillate successful Chennai was killed erstwhile a integer banner connected a centre median fell connected her. The petition had challenged Rule 5 of the 2011 Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, which allowed integer banners connected medians. While the lawsuit was pending, the State authorities officially issued the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023, and assured the Court that Rule 339(5)(e) prohibited integer banners and placards connected centre medians. Based connected this assurance, the tribunal disposed of the petition.
Mr. Kathirmathiyon noted that the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) prohibits advertisements connected medians arsenic they distract motorists and compromise safety.
Referring to erstwhile High Court orders successful 2011 and 2017 that required adherence to IRC norms and removal of median advertisements, the user assemblage said the amendment amounts to contempt of tribunal and urged the authorities to retreat it and region each advertisements from medians immediately, informing that further ineligible enactment would travel if nary steps are taken.
