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On 12 September, a 23-year-old woman from Chennai was killed on the streets of the city by an illegal hoarding that turned into a death trap. The installation of the flex board, outlawed multiple times by the Madras High Court, was undertaken illegally for an AIADMK leader’s family function.
The flimsy board fell on Subhasri as she was riding a two-wheeler. The young woman lost control of her vehicle upon being struck by the banner, and a tanker lorry then collided with her, killing her. Subhasri’s death shook the conscience of the state and prompted anger from various quarters, finally forcing authorities to take long-pending action and forcing the courts to reiterate the law.
However, less than a month after her death, the AIADMK government has notified the Madras High Court proposing to erect more hoardings for the upcoming bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping. Why?
The two leaders are set to hold meetings at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) between 11 to 13 October. However, the proposal to erect banners 'in designated places' seeks exemption from the law.
This, despite the court's December 2018 direction making it clear that no registered or unregistered political party should erect flex boards that would cause inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians.
However, the ‘Government of Tamil Nadu will put up welcome Banners enroute from Airport to Mahabalipuram (5 locations in Chennai city, 4 locations in Mahabalipuram and 7 locations in OMR and ECR) through the Directorate of Information and Public Relations.’ This takes the total number of banners to 30.
It is to be noted that the petition makes clear that permission is not being sought for the installation but a prayer is being made to the court to consider facts and pass suitable orders.
Citing Section 278 of the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919, the state government's undertaking affidavit states, “Hence issuance of license/permission for erection of welcome banners in the places belonging to the Government is not required (sic).”
It submits that the existing permanent structure will be utilised for the display of these banners and temporary structure will be erected only when a permanent set up is lacking. It promises that this will be undertaken in adherence to all safety and stability norms. “The strictest standards of safety would be maintained,” it says.
(This article was first published on The News Minute and has been republished with permission.)
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