Can advertising agencies leave traffic signage alone?

Actual signage near Morya talao at Mulund East

In a city where space is at a premium and every inch is precious, encroachment is a common malaise. Now, advertising agencies seem to have encroached on government signage of all things. This signage is meant for pointing out the direction to vehicles. The advertisements are placed on the back of the signage on the Eastern Express Highway, a rights activist has pointed out, a report said in this paper.

According to the activist, he had got a reply from a Right to Information (RTI) query that there has been no permission obtained. If investigations prove that these ads have been illegally put up, we must see swift action and penalties against those responsible.

It is also hard to believe that the ad agency managed to get ads on the signage without anybody from the authorities concerned responsible for the signage knowing, or even if it did so, without noticing that this has been done. We must see action if there has been any wrongdoing, beginning of course, with the immediate removal of these advertisements.

The reason for quick and thorough investigation and action, if warranted, is simply so that this should not set a precedent and embolden anybody else to think they can get away with the same. As it is, traffic signage should not be given out for advertisements whatever part of the signage it is, as it is to help motorists find the proper route and direction.

With the attitude that everything should be commercialised and can be sold, we will see ads encroaching and at times, obstructing important signs and direction markers in the city. This will then interfere with clarity and visibility, and may prove extremely dangerous on the road.