According to Executive Officer of KMC Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, he has received threatening phone calls from an unknown Indian number. [break]
"The caller has threatened me of severe consequences if the ongoing drive to remove hoarding boards is not halted," he said.
Adhikari, however, has not yet lodged a formal complaint against the threat with the police. "I will certainly go to the police if he calls and threatens me again," he added.
The metropolis officials say many entrepreneurs, who are engaged in hoarding business, have requested them not to remove billboards abruptly.
The KMC has said that it will not stop the drive despite all the challenges. The metropolis began the drive two weeks ago.
"Hoarding boards pose risks to lives and property," said Dhanapati Sapkota, who heads KMC´s security department.
He said that over two dozen accidents that took place within a year could be attributed to hoarding boards. He said that last year eight hoardings in the Kalanki area fell down from the roof, injuring several people.
Traffic police have also been requesting the metropolis to remove hoardings, mainly the ones that are distracting, placed at several junctions.
"They have been arguing that overtly glamorous advertisements placed on the roadside and junctions divert the attention of the drivers, which often leads to accidents," Sapkota added.
The metropolis has already removed several hoardings placed on the rooftops at main junctions. The KMC has said that it has also stopped renewing or accepting contracts for hoardings despite requests from companies.
The office has said that the campaign will result in a revenue loss of over Rs 1.5 million annually.
The security department of the metropolis has marked some structures used for mounting hoardings with a cross sign, indicating that such structures should be completely removed from the place.
The department plans to remove over 400 hoardings immediately.
Related story
Transport Minister pledges to remove legal hurdles in operation...
