=> As if the menace of hoardings, signboards and bann
As if the menace of hoardings, signboards and banners in the city was not enough, now the names and monograms of different firms and multi-national companies have started appearing on the city roundabouts as well. Such practice of ‘adoption’ is emerging fast: a company adopts one roundabout in the city and sponsors the work related to its beautification.
Many have objected to the idea and have expressed reservations regarding this kind of development that actually seeks publicity and promotion in the name of beautification. The sponsor company promotes itself by erecting its name and monogram on the roundabout, allege many.
“It is appreciable that the neglected roundabouts are being beautified by the private companies, however apparently, the purpose is to publicise their company and not the beautification of the roundabout,” said a concerned citizen, adding that “why don’t these companies stick to the usual way of publicity? Who allows such developments and why?”
One such beautification has been done at the roundabout that is situated in Saddar town Union Council (UC) 10 between the Sea View road and the Beach Park. In the name of beautification, two statues of white horses have been erected in the centre of the roundabout while the only prominent feature except those statues are the signboards of an insurance company that has sponsored the beautification work.
As far as the level of beautification is concerned, the grass inside the roundabout has completely dried out while the litter strewn all over cannot be overlooked by passers-by. While the civic authorities have expressed that they are against such publicity at roundabouts, one wonders who allows this and who should be held accountable for such development in the city.
A Saddar town official maintained that at the time of the agreement, the town administration binds the sponsors that they will not expose the name or monogram of the company. “Even if they are allowed to put their monogram at the roundabout, they are prohibited from placing a signboard that is larger than two feet by two feet, and that too at a corner so that the beauty of the landscaping done on the roundabout is not affected,” he said.
Many call it open deception as the sponsors hardly bother to maintain what they have undertaken once the work is completed. They only return at the time of the contract renewal, whereas the rest of the time, they do not take charge of the roundabout’s maintenance.
Source: The News
Date:12/1/2007
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