Chennai: Rows of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) flags were tied loosely to electric poles and trees, while three banners-one by the DMK and two by the TVK-encroached on pavements. This raised safety concerns among residents and motorists in an area already choked with festive crowds.Despite TVK leaders officially instructing cadres not to erect banners, posters or cut-outs in public spaces, at least 100 party flags appeared overnight along Dr Natesan Road and Dr Besant Road. Banners carrying Bakrid greetings and photographs of DMK president M K Stalin, deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and TVK general secretary N Anand were put up opposite the Ice House police station.Residents said the flags and banners surfaced during the early hours of Thursday, leaving pedestrians and motorists struggling to navigate the stretch during one of Triplicane’s busiest festive periods. “In the name of celebrations, these flags are only creating inconvenience. They can fall on pedestrians or motorists anytime and cause accidents. This should not be permitted,” said R Kumar, a resident.“This is one of the busiest periods in Triplicane because of Bakrid. People visiting mosques, shopping and crowding biriyani shops are already competing for limited road space as two-wheelers occupy either side of the carriageway. Pedestrians are being pushed dangerously close to moving traffic,” said Nisreena A, a pedestrian.The Madras High Court has repeatedly come down heavily on illegal banners and flagpoles, particularly after the death of 23-year-old Subhasri Ravi in 2019 on Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road. The state government has also framed guidelines prohibiting flagpoles on roadsides and centre medians, while empowering civic authorities to remove unauthorised structures without notice.However, the practice continues across the city. “Flagpoles on medians are banned because they can fall onto either side of the road. GCC permission is required even for roadside installations, but these structures themselves are life-threatening. There should be a blanket ban,” said Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of Arappor Iyakkam.TVK Chennai South district secretary R Dilipkumar said the flags were put up as part of Bakrid celebrations. “Today is also World Hunger Day. We distributed food to more than 1,000 people in Triplicane. The flags were erected as part of the event and will be removed tonight,” he said.Balamurugan, zonal officer, Zone 9, Greater Chennai Corporation, said the flagpoles would be removed.
