Guwahati: Anyone found defacing public property in Guwahati by putting up posters, graffiti or other unauthorised markings will face a penalty of up to Rs 5,000. Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has announced the initiative to curb visual pollution and preserve the city’s cleanliness and civic aesthetics.According to the GMC, walls, flyovers, govt buildings, electric poles, footpaths and other spaces are public assets maintained with public funds. Officials said that maintaining cleanliness, appearance and structural integrity is a shared responsibility between the govt and citizens.“Any kind of govt wall and public place is public property. The responsibility for maintenance lies with both the govt and the public. Everyone wants public spaces to be clean, smooth and appealing. A responsible citizen is the model of a well-organised society,” the civic body stated on social media.A GMC official said, “Posters, advertisements, graffiti, murals and other displays placed without permission not only spoil the city’s appearance but also increase maintenance costs borne by the public.”The official appealed to citizens to obtain the necessary approvals before undertaking any artwork or publicity activity on public structures.The advisory follows the arrest of two youths for painting a mural of education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on the Basistha flyover. The mural was later removed by authorities on Sunday. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said public property should not be used for such activities without prior permission.GMC officials said the latest directive is expected to strengthen enforcement against the defacement of public spaces across the city. They added that monitoring teams will continue to track violations, and offenders will be penalised under relevant municipal provisions.The civic body’s advisory is backed by existing legal provisions. Section 299 of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation Act, 1971, prohibits the unauthorised affixing of bills, notices and other materials, as well as writing or marking on public property.
