KOLKATA: In a quiet citizen-led effort, a seven-member volunteer team cleared hundreds of unauthorised advertisements from public infrastructure across parts of south Kolkata.The drive began at 5.30 am outside Menoka Cinema and lasted more than 2 hours. Volunteers moved along Sarat Chatterjee Avenue, Southern Avenue and SP Mukherjee Road, removing material from roadside grills, wire fences, trees, electric poles, electricity boxes and public fixtures. The team walked roughly 6,600 steps, taking turns to carry a heavy ladder to reach higher points.The removed advertisements promoted singers, politicians, massage services, paying guest accommodation, coaching classes, chartered accountancy tuition and several other commercial services.The group brought together citizens from different backgrounds, including Rehan Waris, Saheb Maity, a cycle hand-cart driver, students from Calcutta International School, including one from Salt Lake, and other civic-minded residents.“This is not merely about removing posters,” said one volunteer. “It is about restoring dignity to our public spaces. Every grill, tree and electricity box belongs to the city—not to those who choose to deface it.”Another participant said, “We began before sunrise because civic responsibility does not require publicity. If a handful of ordinary citizens can make a visible difference in two hours, imagine what could happen if neighbourhoods adopted their own streets.”Residents and morning walkers welcomed the effort, saying the action made a visible difference to the neighbourhood. One morning walker remarked, “Southern Avenue is one of Kolkata’s most beautiful neighbourhoods. These advertisements have slowly become part of the landscape, and we stopped noticing them. Seeing the volunteers remove them reminded us what the streets are supposed to look like.”A local resident said, “We often complain about civic neglect, but today these volunteers showed that citizens also have a role to play. Their example deserves to be replicated across the city.”Another passer-by commented, “It was inspiring to see school students working alongside working professionals and labourers. Civic pride has no social hierarchy.”Organisers said they plan to return next weekend and extend the clean-up to other neighbourhoods. They also invited public representatives and civic authorities to join future drives.“Anyone prepared to stand on the streets, ask difficult questions about civic maintenance, and work alongside citizens is always welcome. Civic transformation is strongest when government and residents stand shoulder to shoulder,” a volunteer said.
