PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Friday impleaded an advertising agency and a city builder for displaying hoardings on electricity poles and on top of buildings brightly illuminated respectively.
During the hearing, it was brought to the notice of the Court that a work order dated January 7, 2022, was issued in favour of an agency to display of advertisement and drawing of cables on Electricity Department infrastructure in the jurisdiction of Electrical Circle (North), Panjim. The advertisements were displayed by the agency without obtaining necessary permissions from the authorities concerned.
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Referring to the issue raised by Amicus Curiae senior advocate S D Lotlikar, the Court directed Highway Authority to look into the issue and initiate appropriate action against several hoardings which had routinely come up on temporary movable platforms adjacent to the National Highway 66 passing through the State, without authorisation/permissions from the Highway Authority.
The Court observed that hoardings, some of which are brightly illuminated, fall directly within the line of sight of vehicles plying on the road posing grave danger and a direct threat to the safety of those travelling. It requested Advocate General to take instructions from the concerned highway authorities and respond on the next date as regards action proposed against such illegal hoardings after taking instructions from the SP (Traffic) and all concerned and place on record the measures to curb the menace including criminal action against such illegal hoardings put up along the highway. The authorities have been asked to place the action taken report against such illegal hoardings by the next date.
The Amicus curiae also drew the attention of the Court to the large hoarding put up by a builder, which, prima facie, appears to be directly within the line of sight as per the photographs produced. It was submitted that such large hoardings on top of the buildings were located at several places all across the State.
Considering the allegations about several such hoardings coming up right on top of the buildings, the court felt it appropriate to implead the builder and issued him a notice to appear on June 28.
Adv Somnath Karpe filed an affidavit/compliance report on behalf of the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) stating that out of the total 64 hoardings identified within the jurisdiction of the CCP, 41 hoardings were already removed, while two had filed an appeal before the Secretary (Urban Department) which are pending adjudication. In five cases, petitions were pending in this Court. As regards 16 hoardings, one was removed by the owners themselves and five were removed by the CCP on June 20, 2024. 3. The CCP stated that it is in the process of removing the balance 10 hoardings even as the owners of these hoardings have been asked to remove the hoardings within 48 hours from the receipt of notice failing which, the CCP would take necessary action to remove them within a period of eight weeks
The Mapusa Municipal Council sought adjournment as its lawyer was indisposed.
Deputy Solicitor General Pravin Faldessai appearing for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) submitted that he would file affidavit before the next date of hearing fixed on June 28.
