REFERENCE letters on mushrooming billboards (July 24, Aug 9 and Aug 16). It may be said that this activity is rather officially protected In this regard, it must be known that a deadly typhoon hit Karachi on June 23, 2007, in which about 250 people were killed in a span of one hour.

Most of the deaths were caused by falling billboards, which crushed vehicles and people. Immediately after the calamity the then city government removed all billboards and afterwards enacted laws to allow standard-size billboards only at selected places.

This move also resulted in giving a feel of open space while driving on Karachi roads.

However, with the demise of the city government system, large billboards have resurfaced without any thought to the lawful standard size and people’s safety. They not only pose risks to public property and life, they also distract drivers’ attention. Cantonment boards and the KMC seem only concerned with revenue generation.

Further, while there is a dire need to conserve electricity, the cantonment boards at different locations on Sharea Faisal are making every effort to generate revenues by leasing electrically-illuminated display boards at Drigh Road, PAF, FTC Bridge to Hotel Mehran, etc.

Raihan A. K. Lodhi

Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2014