FAISALABAD, Oct 17: The Tehsil Municipal Administration (City) has failed to check installation of large publicity boards without any proper planning, which have spoiled the architectural beauty of the city.

During a round of commercial and residential areas as well as main roads, it was observed that the TMA (City) has adopted an ill-conceived policy of generating income in violation of the prescribed rules, giving a free hand to the private tax collecting contractor to install boards in front of houses, commercial centres and private buildings.

There are over 200 spots in the city having heavy traffic volume where a contractor of the TMA is installing huge hoardings and asking private parties to enter into agreement with the firm to get installed their publicity material on boards. The firm is reportedly making bucks fast with the alleged connivance of the TMA higher-ups who have no regard for human life and property.

Scores of publicity boards are being installed by the local, national and multinational companies after obtaining NOCs against the criteria laid down by the TMA. Sign-boards at several localities, including D-Grounds, the Satiana Road, Jhal Road, Jaranwala Road, Abdullahpur, Kutchery Road and the Narwala Road, are dangerous.

Besides, many of these have been installed close to high-voltage electricity wires. They are a major cause of traffic snarls for being attractive.

A senior TMA official told this correspondent on condition of anonymity that dozens of huge boards had been installed in the city at the cost of architectural and historical onslaught of famous buildings.

Two people were buried alive and a number of private and public vehicles damaged when a billboard collapsed in thunderstorm during monsoon.