QMC to act against illegal banners

Johnny M
Quepem: With banners, shopboards and other advertising paraphernalia crowding the street and footpaths around the garden in the town, Quepem municipal council has decided to act against those illegally displaying them and even licenced ones, sources said.
The boards and banners come up on every occasion, be it the birthday of the MLA, ministers, councillors, upcoming politicians or festivals of different communities.
The town is no longer a place where citizens can spend some quiet moments or walk freely on the footpath, as it is overcrowded by commercial advertising and defaced by banners, citizens alleged.
“This year, the size of the banners have increased. During festivals, everyone tries to outdo their rivals by making bigger boards and banners, due to which pedestrians face problems,” said Diago Fernandes, a local shopkeeper.
QMC, in its resolution on May 28, 2013, stated that no banners will be displayed in and around the garden, but now the present council has modified the resolution and allowed displaying the banners only outside the garden area, said QMC chairperson Filu D’Costa.
“We will identify the locations to display banners so that there will be no obstructions to pedestrians and vehicular traffic, banners will be allowed to be displayed on days during festivals,” said D’Costa.