Hoardings free, but at what cost?
I have a clear view of the Thiru Vi.Ka Bridge from my roof top. Whenever I needed a quiet evening to myself, I’d hit the roof top and just watching the vehicles plying on that bridge had a soothing effect on you. And the brilliant lights from the hoardings, on either ends of the bridge, glittering on the Adyar river just added the right effect. Now, It looks somewhat dull and lifeless. If you had paying attention to what’s going on in the city for the past few days, you’d know why. I wish I had taken a photograph just to show the contrast then and now. I have nothing against the corporation or the Supreme Court upholding the judgment passed by the High Court, to remove the hoardings. It was unsafe, obstructing sites of historical importance, educational institutions and hospitals. Now, Chennai skylines look like what they used to 8-10 years ago, yes. Some claim accidents might come down, really? I don’t think so. Hoardings light up more than 70% of our main roads and streets (rough estimate, source not so unreliable as our corporation). Besides, it becomes easier for waylayers to attack and you might be hearing several women harassment incidents in the coming days. I can see them in my mind laying out plans to strike at key places, exclaiming how stupid the corporation can get. Pray, it doesn’t come to that and the corporation has enough sense to have the streets properly lit.
April 15th, 2008 at 6:01 am
A very interesting point. I totally forgot about the lighting point but I strongly feel that all hoardings must go. The city is public property. I am not getting paid to view these ads.
April 15th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
It’s for the good, the city looks somewhat greener. The hoardings are not totally done away with. Not the ones still on top of buildings. And for once you couldn’t resist seeing this from the money angle.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Accidents, around two years ago I was staring at a model on one of those boards and realised I was heading straight for the median on a turn. Ah hormones.
April 17th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Ha ha, yeah, I can imagine it myself. At a hundred yards away on the road, you see her and start thinking, ‘Was she on TV? She looks familiar. Hmmm…Yes, Yes! That gay Bond movie, Casino Royale. Some… ??? Green. She looks better than in the movie. Oh look, a median… (Flying in the air)… I feel… light.’ The next thing you know, you will be in a hospital sticking your tongue out.
April 19th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
The ones on the buildings are going too, soon.
April 20th, 2008 at 6:01 am
You’re an intellectual, Arun. I just stared.
April 20th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I was explaining the course of distraction that leads to accidents in such cases. There’s nothing intellectual about a hoarding.
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Yes, but it was a very different course of events. Mine went like, “Ooh woman, *drool* OMG MEDIAN!!”