Bengaluru: The streets of Vijayanagar are once again dotted with flex banners of various shapes and sizes, along with towering cut-outs and posters at several locations.This time, the banners have been put up to mark the birthdays of Union minister of state for railways, V Somanna and his son Arun Somanna, which fall on July 20 and 19, respectively.Towering cut-outs of Somanna, his son and their supporters have been erected using scaffolding, blocking footpaths at several locations along Chord Road. The banners stretch from Magadi Road toll gate to Vijayanagar Metro station and beyond, via Hosahalli Metro station. Several other main roads and junctions in the surrounding areas have also been covered with banners.The development has drawn criticism, particularly as GBA is currently carrying out a city-wide drive to reclaim footpaths from encroachments.In April, a similar banner menace was witnessed in Vijayanagar and neighbouring Govindarajanagar during the birthdays of Vijayanagar MLA M Krishnappa and his son, Govindarajanagar MLA Priya Krishna.RTI activist and long-time Vijayanagar resident Veeresh Bellur said the number of banners had increased manifold this year, with several aspirants to GBA elections also putting up banners in their names.The problem was not limited to birthdays. “Be it Sankranti, Vijaya Dashami or Rajyotsava, erecting flex banners has become a constant menace in the area. Even though the high court has empowered police to register suo motu complaints against such banners, they are not cracking down on the menace,” he added.Lalithamma G, a pedestrian, said the banners made it difficult to cross busy junctions safely. “The footpaths here are well-maintained, but it is pointless when such banners block access. This happens several times a year,” she said.Outrage on social mediaThe issue has also triggered criticism on social media. The X account, Safe Footpaths, posted videos showing banners blocking footpaths and tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“Vijayanagar and Govindarajanagar current MLA and ex MLA love to put big flex banners for all events in all streets and intersections spending lakhs of rupees. People are not happy for your expenses that could have diverted for safety of citizens (sic),” the account said, adding the practice went against the ideals of the Swachh Bharat campaign.Yuva Kranti, an Instagram account, said the issue was about pedestrian safety and the right to use footpaths. “This is not about Congress and BJP. Recently, we have seen footpath encroachment drives targeting citizens, vendors and small establishments. Where are the same drives when it comes to illegal banners and political flexes?” the account asked, tagging Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
