LED billboards looming large on FOBs portend danger

Foot Over Bridges (FOBs), the primary purpose of which is to save the lives of pedestrians, are being turned into cash cows by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), which is permitting gigantic advertisements on them, paying no attention to the risk they pose to public safety.

Huge LED screens span across the length of the FOBs at several places in the city, which is brazen violation of the government’s policy not to permit advertisement hoardings over 15 feet in height in view of public safety. Besides, there is every risk of the flashy boards diverting the attention of the vehicle riders on the route, causing accidents.

Gigantic LED screens could be seen on the FOBs at places such as Road No. 3, Banjara Hills, and near L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, which have been apparently allowed on ‘experimental’ basis, before the government announces its policy on the same.

It is of concern that patients and attendants visiting the hospital use the FOB as shelter to eat, sleep and spend the nights. In case the FOB, under the weight of the screen, comes crashing down, the fatalities could be very high.

“That the FOBs were not designed or built to bear the weight of LED screens, adds to the apprehensions, especially in view of the risk they pose under the impact of monsoons,” says Uday Krishna Peddireddi, who once was involved in designing and installing FOBs for GHMC.

A massive billboard has appeared also in front of the new multi-level parking complex near the KBR Park, in contravention of the policy against hoardings above 15 feet in height. It also puts in question the very purpose of the parking complex in GHMC’s view — whether for advertisement revenue or as public facility.

The State government imposed a ban on hoardings and unipoles above 15 feet in height in 2020, following multiple instances of collapse of such hoardings in inclement weather conditions. There was also a decision not to allow advertisements on FOBs, which could cause distraction and accidents.

Officials under the condition of anonymity, informed that the policy against advertisements on FOBs has been sent to the government for review, and a decision is yet to be taken on that. The new policy will apply to the newly built FOBs at 17 locations in the city, they informed.

“The FOBs on which ads are on display, were installed before the policy was announced. Agreements were signed with the advertising firms,” a highly placed official informed. However, he had no answer to the question if the structures were strong enough to support LED screens.