Delhi to have posters on 'display sites' rather than walls

New Delhi, Jan 17 (UNI) No writing on the wall in capital's roads, literally! Delhi government has decided to put up 266 'poster display sites' on all important roads within the next two months to allow people to paste non-commercial posters on uniform display boards across the city instead of defacing public property.

The decision was taken today in a meeting chaired by Delhi Urban Development Minister A K Walia where senior officials of Public Works Department, New Delhi Municipal Council, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Police and Urban Development Department were present.

Delhi Traffic Police had given its nod for installing the display boards, 87 of which would be installed in PWD area, 149 in MCD area and another 30 in NDMC areas.

The standard size boards would measure 15 by five ft and placed two-and-half feet above ground level providing ample visibility.

Meanwhile, Dr Walia issued strict instructions to all departments concerned to implement the existing West Bengal Defacement Act in true spirit and book any defaulter found defacing public walls.

He also instructed officers to take immediate action against habitual defaulters and 'big fishes'. It was also decided to convene monthly review meetings to ensure full elimination of defacement keeping the 2010 Commonwealth Games in view.

The state government had taken a decision to replace the West Bengal Defacement Act with its own enactment, the Delhi Defacement of Public Property Bill 2007.

The Bill having stringent provisions like a fine of Rs 50,000 and imprisonment upto one year, would soon be considered by the Delhi cabinet and replace the existing Act.

UNI