Small advertisers protest outside GHMC office against proposed ban on advertisement hoardings

A large number of advertisement agency owners organised a demonstration in front of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC)’s headquarters on Friday, protesting against the government’s reported decision for imposing a ban against advertisement hoardings in the tri-commissionerate area encompassing GHMC, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation.

Already, a ban on advertisement hoardings above 15 feet in height exists in the areas covered by the erstwhile GHMC. It was imposed in 2020, following collapse of a unipole killing two persons. Unconfirmed reports are circulating now about a new advertisement policy on the drawing board.

“After the ban was imposed, we small advertisers moved to areas outside GHMC, and continued our business there. Now, all those areas are merged with GHMC, and government is thinking of applying the ban across the city,” said K. Ramesh, general secretary of the Association.

Accusing the government of trying to benefit big players on the advertising industry, Mr. Ramesh said a large number of small advertisers and their families will be hit by the decision.

“We strongly request and demand the government to include rooftop hoardings in the upcoming new policy with restricted sizes and regulated height limits,” he demanded, seeking a comprehensive advertisement policy by the government allowing equal playing ground for all the advertisers irrespective of their market standing.