Bengaluru: In a major cleanliness and enforcement drive, the Bengaluru North City Corporation and Bengaluru Central City Corporation together removed as many as 524 illegal flex boards, banners and hoardings from various parts of the city over the past two days. The action was carried out as part of routine monitoring to curb unauthorised displays that clutter public spaces and violate civic norms.
According to officials, the large-scale removal was undertaken on Monday and Tuesday across multiple wards, with a significant concentration of illegal banners found in residential and commercial areas, as well as on public infrastructure such as skywalks and bus shelters.
North City Corporation removes bulk of illegal flexes
The Bengaluru North City Corporation accounted for the bulk of the removals, taking down 473 illegal flex boards and banners on Monday alone. Of these, more than half — 280 banners — were removed from Kodigehalli, making it the area with the highest number of violations detected during the drive.
Other areas from where illegal flex boards were removed include T Dasarahalli (54), Thanisandra (45), Jakkur (38), Attur (35), and Yelahanka Satellite Town (21). Officials said the banners were put up without permission on electric poles, compound walls, road dividers and other public structures, in violation of municipal regulations.
A senior corporation official stated that such enforcement drives are conducted periodically, but the volume of unauthorised displays often spikes during festival seasons and political events. “Despite repeated warnings, many individuals and organisations continue to put up banners illegally. We are committed to removing them to maintain public safety and cleanliness,” the official said.
Central City Corporation targets public infrastructure
In a similar enforcement drive on Tuesday, the Bengaluru Central City Corporation removed 51 illegal hoardings and banners from prominent public locations. These included skywalks, bus shelters and other high-visibility areas frequently used by pedestrians and commuters.
Officials noted that banners placed on skywalks and bus shelters not only deface public property but also pose safety risks by obstructing visibility and distracting motorists. “Public infrastructure is meant for citizens, not for advertisements or publicity materials. We will not tolerate such misuse,” a senior official said.
Festival banners under scanner
Residents of Kodigehalli pointed out that a majority of the banners removed in their area were related to Sankranti greetings, many of which were reportedly put up by political party workers and local organisations.
“Until last week, flex boards were put up almost every 100 metres, and there was hardly any action. Now that the festival is over, the corporation has removed them,” said a resident of Telecom Layout in Kodigehalli. Some residents alleged selective enforcement, claiming that action is often delayed when banners are associated with influential groups.
Civic officials, however, maintained that enforcement is carried out irrespective of who puts up the banners. “Whether it is a political party, a commercial entity or a private individual, no one is allowed to put up flex boards without permission,” an official said.
Ongoing challenge for civic authorities
Illegal banners and hoardings have long been a persistent problem in Bengaluru, especially during election seasons, festivals and major public events. Despite existing rules that mandate prior permission and levy penalties for violations, enforcement remains challenging due to the sheer scale of the city and the frequent recurrence of unauthorised displays.
Urban planners and civic activists have repeatedly called for stricter penalties and accountability, including holding political parties responsible for banners put up by their workers. Some have also suggested the use of CCTV footage and ward-level monitoring to identify violators more effectively.
Conclusion
The removal of 524 illegal flex boards and banners by Bengaluru’s civic bodies highlights renewed enforcement efforts to keep public spaces clean and safe. While officials insist that such drives are carried out regularly, residents continue to demand consistent and impartial action, especially during festivals and political campaigns. Civic authorities have reiterated that enforcement against unauthorised banners will continue across the city in the coming days.