Issuing a stern warning against all unauthorised advertisements, the Siliguri civic body in north Bengal launched a surprise drive to demolish illegal commercial hoardings erected at prime locations across the city.
Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner Vir Bikram Rai led the demolition drive on Monday.
When landowners and representatives of advertising agencies requested Rai to stop, the Commissioner made his stand clear, saying: “I don’t know where such arrangements were made earlier. But nothing illegal will be allowed now.”
According to SMC officials, at least 21 prime locations with illegal hoardings have so far been identified, and action has already been initiated against them.
The crackdown follows directions issued by Bengal Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul during her recent visit to Siliguri during which she had instructed civic authorities to remove illegal hoardings to boost revenue earnings for both the Siliguri Municipal Corporation and the state government.
She had also specifically directed the removal of unauthorised hoardings from the State Government bus terminus in Siliguri and announced plans to introduce digital billboards for commercial advertisements to enhance government revenue.
The action comes in the wake of administrative changes at the SMC. After the resignation of the Mayor of the Trinamool Congress-led board, the party, despite having 37 elected councillors in the 47-member civic body, failed to form a new board.
The state government subsequently appointed R. Vimala, Secretary of the North Bengal Development Department, as Administrator and Vir Bikram Rai as the new Commissioner.
Significantly, Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh has also publicly announced that all building plans approved by the SMC will be audited, and action will be taken against illegal constructions as well as those allegedly involved in corruption in granting building plan approvals.
Rai carried out a surprise inspection of a shopping mall and commercial complex at Sevoke More, recently where he reportedly detected several irregularities, including constructions and commercial activities undertaken without proper civic approval.
Sources said the Commissioner has identified several more shopping malls and commercial complexes for similar surprise inspections in the coming days as part of a wider drive against illegal constructions and civic violations.