Mangaluru: In a decisive move to curb the growing proliferation of illegal flexes and banners across the city, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has intensified its enforcement drive and streamlined the process of imposing penalties on violators. The civic body has constituted three dedicated enforcement teams and divided the city into three zones to ensure sustained monitoring and swift action against unauthorised displays that have increasingly drawn public ire.

City divided into three enforcement zones

The city has been demarcated into three zones—Surathkal, Kadri and Lalbagh—with one enforcement team assigned to each zone. Each team comprises an assistant revenue officer, a revenue department inspector, a bill collector and supporting staff. According to MCC officials, these teams have been empowered to identify, remove and penalise unauthorised flexes and banners wherever found, without waiting for complaints.

The decision to form zonal teams is aimed at decentralising enforcement and ensuring accountability. Officials said the move would enable quicker response times and continuous surveillance, particularly in areas where illegal flexes tend to reappear soon after removal.

Rising menace and public inconvenience

The number of unauthorised flexes has risen sharply in several parts of the city, often erected overnight on busy roads, junctions and footpaths. Many of these displays, officials noted, are not only unauthorised but also hazardous, obstructing pedestrian movement and distracting motorists.

In some cases, flexes have even been provided illegal electricity connections, compounding safety concerns. Residents and pedestrian rights groups have repeatedly complained that flexes installed on footpaths force pedestrians onto roads, increasing the risk of accidents, especially for senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities.

Public pressure has mounted on the civic body to enforce existing rules more strictly, particularly during festive seasons, political events and private celebrations, when the number of banners and flexes tends to surge.

Ban on plastic flexes reiterated

The MCC commissioner had earlier issued clear orders banning the use of plastic flexes within city limits. As part of awareness and enforcement measures, warning boards have been installed at multiple prominent locations across the city, cautioning against the installation of unauthorised banners.

Despite regular removal drives, officials admitted that flexes are often reinstalled at the same locations, sometimes within hours of being taken down. “This cycle of removal and reinstallation has been a persistent challenge. The new zonal teams are expected to break this pattern through continuous monitoring and immediate penal action,” an official said.

In the past week alone, MCC teams have removed over 40 illegal flexes from different parts of the city and collected penalties exceeding ₹4,000. The corporation expects the penalty amount to rise as enforcement becomes more rigorous.

Clear rules for permitted banners

As per existing regulations, only cloth banners are permitted within Mangaluru city limits. All other types of banners, including plastic and vinyl flexes, are deemed unauthorised and are liable for removal and penalty.

Those wishing to display advertisements or banners must obtain prior permission from the MCC’s revenue department. Cloth banners of prescribed dimensions are allowed for a maximum period of 15 days on payment of a fee of ₹200. Such banners must be brought to the MCC office for sealing, a measure intended to prevent misuse and ensure traceability.

Officials stressed that even permitted cloth banners can be installed only at non-hazardous locations. “Banners should not obstruct traffic, pedestrians, or public utilities. Any deviation from the approved conditions will invite action,” an MCC official explained.

Action after deadline

Banners that are not removed after the permitted 15-day period will automatically be treated as unauthorised. The enforcement teams have been instructed to remove such banners and levy penalties without issuing additional notices.

The MCC has also warned event organisers, political parties, commercial establishments and individuals that repeat violations could attract higher penalties and legal action under relevant municipal laws.

Towards a cleaner cityscape

Civic officials believe that sustained enforcement, combined with public cooperation, is key to restoring the city’s visual appeal and ensuring pedestrian safety. The MCC has urged residents to report unauthorised flexes and banners in their neighbourhoods, assuring prompt action by the zonal teams.

With the new enforcement mechanism in place, the corporation hopes to send a strong message that unauthorised displays will no longer be tolerated. If implemented consistently, officials say, the drive could significantly reduce visual clutter and make Mangaluru’s streets safer and more accessible for all.

Conclusion: The intensified crackdown marks a renewed commitment by the Mangaluru City Corporation to enforce existing rules and protect public spaces. While the challenge of illegal flexes persists, the formation of dedicated zonal teams and faster penal action signal a firm step towards a cleaner, safer and more orderly city.