T’puram: The 18 LED video display boards being installed at various locations in the capital under the Smart City project have come under question over their legality, with road-safety norms restricting illuminated roadside displays that could distract motorists, cause glare or interfere with traffic signals. Road-safety expert and former MD of Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Ltd (TRDCL) Anilkumar Pandala has raised the issue with Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL), seeking clarification on whether the proposed boards comply with the provisions of Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines governing roadside advertisements and road safety.The IRC policy states that advertisements can distract drivers and become a public hazard or nuisance. It also lays down restrictions on advertisements near junctions and traffic signs and says illuminated advertisements involving flashing, intermittent or moving lights, glare or impairment of the driver’s vision, or interference with official traffic signs should not be allowed.In his appeal, Pandala specifically referred to IRC:46-1972 policy on roadside advertisements and sought specific advice from SCTL to the municipal corporation. He also requested that the boards be relocated wherever necessary in accordance with the provisions of the code.Earlier, the high court had also referred to IRC:46-1972 while dealing with roadside advertisements and road safety. The court had noted restrictions on advertisements near road junctions, traffic signs and carriageways, besides recognising road-safety concerns arising from displays that distract motorists.The issue assumes significance as the Smart City project envisages 18 large digital boards at prominent locations across the capital. Thirteen boards will have a display area of 180 sq ft, while five smaller boards will have an area of 48 sq ft.The locations include Gandhi Park, Thampanoor, VJT Hall, Kesavadasapuram, Pattom, PMG, Museum, Kowdiar, Overbridge, Killipalam, Manaveeyam, Vellayambalam, Vazhuthacaud, Captain Lakshmi Park, EMS Park, AKG Park, Kalyan Silks Jn near the old War Memorial and Karamana.The boards are intended to carry govt announcements, public information, traffic and emergency updates, cultural programmes and advertisements. Commercial advertising is also proposed, with the revenue expected to contribute towards the operation and maintenance of the system.The road-safety concerns were raised during a personal hearing conducted at the SCTL office on April 10 following Pandala’s first appeal under the RTI Act. According to the hearing record, SCTL officials told him that the company was only a special purpose vehicle executing the requirements of the municipal corporation and had no advisory role. The location of the video boards, according to the record, had been fixed by the corporation.“The display boards are being installed against IRC rules. It should be removed as soon as possible. It will cause distraction among the vehicle drivers,“ said Pandala.Meanwhile, a senior corporation official said that the boards will not be removed, and they are being installed as per rules. Some of the display boards were installed months ago. No accidents or issues have happened so far, the official said.
