CMC drive to identify & remove unsafe hoardings

Cuttack: The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) on Thursday launched a drive to identify and remove unsafe hoardings across the city, with the focus being on old, rusted and illegally installed ones that may pose risks to pedestrians and motorists.A special CMC team, comprising officials from its engineering and enforcement wings, will conduct inspections in key commercial and residential areas. “The safety audit has been initiated as a precautionary measure. Following the recent incident in Bhubaneswar, we have decided to thoroughly inspect all hoardings in Cuttack. Public safety is our top priority and no compromise will be tolerated,” mayor Subhash Singh said.Singh added that hoardings found to be structurally weak or erected without proper permission will be removed immediately. “We will issue notices to agencies and advertisers concerned. If they fail to comply within the stipulated time, CMC will take action, including dismantling the structures and imposing penalties,” he warned.Officials said areas with high footfall, such as marketplaces, busy road junctions and near educational institutes, will be inspected on priority.

The civic body will also verify whether hoardings adhere to prescribed size, height and safety norms.The mayor urged advertisers and building owners to ensure that their hoardings are securely installed and regularly maintained. “We appeal to all stakeholders to cooperate with the civic body in this drive. Our aim is to prevent any untoward incident in the future,” Singh said.The inspection drive is expected to continue over the next few days, with a detailed report to be prepared thereafter.