The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has announced a city-wide ban on unauthorized posters, banners, and wall writings, effective immediately from Today 1 October 2024. The move aims to enhance the city's aesthetic appeal and maintain cleanliness, addressing widespread concerns about public space defacement.

GHMC Commissioner Amrapali Kata emphasized the need for stringent measures to curb the unauthorized pasting of posters and wall writings. The circular issued to Zonal Commissioners and officials directs them to take immediate action:

Printer Meetings: Deputy Commissioners will convene meetings with local printers to ensure no printing occurs without valid permission from the GHMC Commissioner. Strict notices will be issued to violators.

Cinema Theatre Coordination: Coordination with cinema theatre owners will ensure movie posters are not affixed to public walls.

Enforcement and Penalties: All Deputy Commissioners are mandated to impose penalties and submit detailed reports on enforcement actions taken, including fines for unauthorized banners, posters, cutouts, and flex boards.

While the initiative is welcomed by many citizens, concerns have been raised regarding its impact on certain groups.

Concerns and Perspectives:

Political and Commercial Defacement: Many citizens, like IT employee K Srikanth, cite the prevalent issue of political parties and commercial organizations blatantly defacing public spaces, particularly on the Khairatabad flyover.

Festive Season Challenges: Housewife C Karuna points out the rampant use of flex banners by political parties and local organizations during festive seasons, especially near temples, creating visual clutter.

Civil Society and Educational Institutions: The ban also impacts civil society organizations, youth groups, and educational institutions who often use wall writings and posters to reach the public.

Designated Spaces and Level Playing Field: AI/ML student Sekhar Goud suggests the need for designated spaces across the city for authorized posters and billboards, ensuring a fair platform for all organizations to communicate with the public.

This initiative by the GHMC signifies a commitment to improving the city's visual landscape. While the ban aims to address a significant problem, concerns about its impact on certain groups and the need for a fair and accessible communication platform for all need to be addressed. The GHMC's success in implementing this initiative will depend on its ability to balance beautification efforts with the right to freedom of expression and equitable communication opportunities for all.