Large illegal billboards pose grave danger to public

Rawalpindi
The sharp increase in the number of illegally-installed billboards in commercial and residential areas of the city and cantonment has been posing a grave risk to the lives of public. The concerned authorities are not paying any attention to this serious issue. The illegally-installed billboards are not only a life risk, but also causing loss of millions of rupees to the revenue department.
In the past, a large number of giant billboards had fallen due to windstorm and heavy rains and caused damage in city and cantonment localities. There had been cases of billboards falling on electricity poles, disrupting power supply and damaging parked vehicles.
Chief Inspector (Taxation) Sajid Naseer admitted that there was an increase in the number of illegal billboards in city and cantonment board localities. He told ‘The News’ that they have removed 472 illegally-installed billboards from different localities of Rawalpindi. He said that the taxation department generates revenue of Rs150 to 200 million per year through billboards.
He said that billboards were usually installed along roads or on rooftops of shopping plazas and residential buildings. They pose a serious threat to people's lives.
The giant billboards and hoardings could be seen in different localities, including Satellite Town, Jhelum Road, Airport Road, IJP Road, Pirwadhai, Benazir Bhutto Road, Double Road, Gangmandi Road, City Saddar Road, Rawal Road, Mall Road, Adiala Road, Tulsa Road, Racecourse Road, Qasim Market Road, Peshawar Road and several other areas. The heavy hoardings installed on multi-storey buildings are a matter of grave concern for people who come there for shopping.
Talking to ‘The News,’ people belonging to different walks of life have condemned the ever-increasing number of billboards in commercial and residential localities.
Sameen Aftab, a housewife residing at Committee Chowk, said that large billboards are dangerous in all areas, particularly in residential localities.