RAWALPINDI, June 26: Keeping in view the damages caused by collapse of billboards in Karachi, the City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) here on Tuesday constituted a special committee to remove mega billboards all across the city.

The district government has also imposed ban on installation of new mega billboards and decided that no installation would take place unless the committee gives formal approval to the same.

Presiding over a meeting here on Tuesday, Nazim Raja Javed Ikhlas said billboards larger than 60 square feet and higher than 20 feet would be removed adding that the owners would be served notice to remove the boards at their own as soon as possible.

The meeting was attended by District Coordinator Officer (DCO) Irfan Elahi, Nazim Rawal Town, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, Executive District Officer (Revenue), Jamal Mustafa Saeed, Tehsil Municipal Officer, Malik Mumtaz, Rawalpindi Development Authority Director Metropolitan Engineering, Makeen Shahbaz and District Officer Roads, Abdul Qayyum.

The district nazim warned the billboard owners that if they failed to remove the installation they would be responsible for any possible loss and damage caused by these billboards during the upcoming rainy season, adding that criminal cases would also be registered against them.

He said that the decision was taken in the better interest of the Rawalpindi citizens to ensure their safety during the monsoon season besides save their property from damage.

The Rawal Town administration had already banned the installation of billboards under its jurisdiction.—APP

Our Correspondent from Murree adds: Huge advertisement hoardings installed at various places in and around Murree city pose serious threat to the lives of people.

Mall Road, one of the busiest tourists’ sights during summer season, is almost covered by these hoardings from green belt side. Huge boards could also be seen on the rooftops of multi- story buildings on this road, although the tehsil administration has declared installation of billboards on building illegal.

Heavy billboards installed on these buildings are very dangerous not only for tourists but local people and school going children as well as Murree experiences high winds that may cause collapse of these hoardings.

These heavy billboards have been installed all along road from Chhattar to Kohala. In Jhika Gali bazaar, a huge board of about 300 meters height is installed on about 20 shops, and Jhika Gali is one of the places where winds blow from all sides.

Another heavy board has been installed on Ambassador Hotel, and the hotel being cultural centre hosts historical events.

Notables of the area including Haji Shifaul Haq president Murree city forum has demanded removal of billboards from such sensitive places.

He said these billboards were not only dangerous for human lives but also destroying the beauty of the Mall Road and other places of this hill city.

He said that a huge advertisement board installed on the Mall road right in front of the historical Church of the British era and the beautiful view of the church had been hidden behind this hoarding. People of the area have demanded of the authorities concerned to remove these boards and evolve some policy for such boards in Murree city and Cantonment.