Flex banners near roads pose threat to lives in Kothagudem

Unauthorized flex banners on roads in Kothagudem are causing safety hazards, say residents. An advocate and locals raised concerns after accidents were reported due to poor visibility at turns. They demand immediate removal and legal action against offenders.

Kothagudem: Putting up flex banners on main thoroughfares without permission has become a menace in Kothagudem Municipal Corporation.

It has become a regular practice for activists of various political parties, caste-based organisations, and people’s groups to display flex banners, hoardings, and party flags on road dividers, road turns, and even at traffic signals whenever their leaders visit the town.

Speaking to Telangana Today, advocate Sadiq Pasha said activists were even displaying banners covering the Telangana Martyrs Memorial at the Kothagudem bus stand centre, showing no respect for the martyrs. Such banners have become a regular sight on footpaths near the railway underbridge and in congested traffic areas.

These flex banners and flags not only cause inconvenience to the public but also pose a danger to two-wheeler riders. Two cars collided at a road turn near Sujatha Nagar on the Kothagudem-Khammam road on Thursday due to a large banner put up at the turning, he noted.

He said he had submitted a petition to the Kothagudem Municipal Commissioner requesting that permission should not be given to install banners at traffic junctions and key locations just for revenue generation.

Pasha urged the Municipal Corporation to take preventive steps against illegal flex banners and party flags on public roads. He demanded that those already installed should be removed immediately.

He further demanded that cases be booked against those who installed banners without permission. If officials fail to act, he warned that he would approach the court.

A local resident, Bathula Srinivas, said some individuals were putting up flex banners to mark birthdays of their leaders and friends, but municipal authorities and police were not taking any action.

It is unfortunate that political parties put up banners near U-turns, obstructing the view of oncoming vehicles. If an accident occurs, the municipal officials should take moral responsibility and pay compensation to the victim’s family, said journalist P Reshwanth.