DNA Edit: Tackling visual pollution

With one stone, the Madras High Court has killed three birds: Visual pollution, self-glorification of political leaders, and the fetish of fans to lionise their screen idols. In a state, where towering banners and larger-than-life cut-outs block out the sky, the HC has banned the use of pictures of living persons on banners and hoardings. This means that politicians and actors cannot use public spaces to further their agenda.

The court has also prohibited the use of photos of people sponsoring the banners. Why did the HC have to pass a judgement in this regard? Well, more often than not, the police and the civic authorities turn a blind eye to such gross violations because they are scared of incurring the wrath of politicians.

Every Indian metro has fallen victim to such ungainly sights that often pose considerable problems to pedestrians and motorists. In many cases, the sidewalks are taken over to create bamboo scaffoldings to prop up banners and cut-outs. Citizens’ requests to clear the footpaths are met with indifference or empty assurances. The Madras HC order is even more laudatory because it has asked the chief secretary to inform all office-bearers of the wards of the town panchayat, panchayat union, municipality and corporation about this order. This means that even towns and villages will breathe a sigh of relief.

Sadly, the Maharashtra government is yet to formulate a policy on curbing visual pollution even after two years. In 2015, the elected representatives from Pune had raised the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who had promised to look into matter. It has almost become a fait accompli for the people to live with such public nuisance.