A new death trap?
Unplanned and, in most cases, unauthorised installation of billboards and neon signs on weak and fragile structures at different city corners and roof tops have been posing threat to security of lives of city dwellers.
Huge billboards, as it appears, have been posing a new death trap for those living in the city and any body could become a victim any time. Unless steps are taken to bring installation of billboards or neon signs under discipline compelling those involved in the business to abide by specific measurements of such billboards on approved structures, the possibility of more loss of lives and damage to property due to collapse of billboards cannot be ruled out.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The question which is being raised in different circles whether any organisation will come forward to take responsibilities for the deaths and damage caused following billboard collapse. The reply to such questions is not expected to be readily available but the responsibilities for such deaths and injuries have to be fixed and those responsible shall have to come forward to pay compensation to the victims.
Some human right bodies or lawyers' associations can on their own sue those responsible for such deaths and damage to property. There can be Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case holding the billboard companies and the DCC responsible for the loss of lives and also damage to property.
The court can act on its own as it does occasionally as the repeated incidents of deaths following collapse of billboards and also often foot over bridge have become matter of concern for the people.
In this context, it needs to be recalled that the High Court recently ordered the ex-Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Anisur Rahman, who became a "disputed father " to send his wife and septuplets to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore for DNA test to prove the parentage of the seven babies. The court order came upon a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) writ filed by Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association seeking custody of the seven infants, airing doubts about parenthood of the children and apprehending a racket for trafficking them out. The court granted four months for submission of the DNA test report.
There has been installation of billboards and neon signs in an unplanned way at different city points and reportedly unauthorised billboards have outnumbered those approved by the DCC. It is being asked in different forums how the DCC can remain a mute spectator to such emergence of unauthorised billboards.
The total number of DCC approved billboards in the city has been estimated to be around 250. Billboards have appeared at every nook and corner of the city giving sort of a jungle look to the city crossings. The initiatives of the DCC for assessment of city's illegal billboards and neon signs reportedly failed due to, what can be seen, inefficiency of its zonal offices. There might be some underhand deals among those running the trade and a section of DCC officials.
The DCC had removed about 1,000 billboards and neon signs on the eve of the 13th SAARC Summit in November last year. Since then no further action has been taken against unauthorised bill boards and neon signs. There are about 310 advertising companies in different categories and some are engaged in the business also individually.
The established companies do not sign contract with illegal companies involved in erecting billboards but less known or unknown companies do so for promoting their products. Illegal billboards and neon signs are seen even in some of the city's busy crossings.
When the comment of a relevant official of the DCC was sought in this regard, he said, "The advertisement policy-2003 has made it clear that the DCC would increase its revenue earnings and add to city's beautification through billboards and neon signs". It has been clearly stated in the policy that the organisations concerned would keep watchful eye on security of public life.
He failed to explain whether there are any specific guidelines as regards size (measurement), weight and structures on which billboards and neon signs would be installed. What is needed is immediate steps for removal of all unauthorised billboards and neon signs from city areas and also formulation of a policy with guidelines of size, measurement and structures of such billboards and neon signs keeping security interests on top of other considerations.