Hoardings promoting alcoholic drinks and those put up without permission or permission for which has expired have been removed to enhance the beauty of the city. [break]
“We have removed more than 50 such boards within a few days of our campaign,” said chief of security branch at the sub-metropolis Basanta Chalise. “The boards obstruct the view of the mountains and we are acting on public complaints,” Chalise said.
Chalise said the campaign has focused on Mahendrapul, Chipledhunga, Naya Bazar and other major business areas in Pokhara. The sub-metropolis had issued a deadline of September, 2009 for the removal of such hoardings but the festival season and a subsequent strike by local body employees hampered the campaign.
“The removal of such boards is in full swing and we will not allow hoardings that spoil Pokhara´s beauty,” Chalise said. Most of the hoardings have been put up by businesses without seeking permission, thereby denying Pokhara sub-metropolis valuable revenue. Chalise disclosed that there are around 200 large and 2,000 small hoardings in Pokhara, of which only 1,055 have permission.
“We charge Rs 30 per square foot for boards at public places and Rs 15 for those at private houses,” Chalise said. He said the campaign aimed at removing boards that spoil the urban beauty and making illegal ones pay revenue. He said private offices and houses have also not taken permission for putting up boards at their premises and they would be charged for the hoardings.
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