HC directs removal of hoardings on roadsides, pavements

Taking a serious view of continued erection of digital banners along road sides and on pavements in the city despite its orders, the Madras High Court has directed the authorities to remove them and file a report by tomorrow.
The first bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Satish K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh, directed Special Tahasildar (Hoardings) Vijayalaksmi to remove the hoardings and digital banners on the pavements of Chennai.
Displaying a picture from an English daily, the bench asked the Additional Advocate General Arvind Pandian how people will walk on the pavements.
The order was passed during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by Traffic Ramaswamy, alias Ramaswamy, seeking to implement the January 9 last order of the high court strictly and to punish the authorities, including the Chennai Collector and the Commissioner of Police, for their "willful disobedience" of the order.

The court directed the petitioner to mention the case tomorrow again for hearing.
The bench has also warned that if the same status continued, it may not hesitate to take action against those responsible and the sponsors of the banners.