'Banned' flexes, massive cutouts & banners return as Bengaluru braces for civic polls

Despite a ban on flex boards, cutouts and banners in Bengaluru, the city is once again witnessing a surge in unauthorised installations, after the Governor gave his assent to the Greater Bengaluru Governance (GBG) Bill, paving way for the long-pending civic body elections.

Massive cutouts, some reaching up to 30 feet, have been put at busy intersections, while several flex boards have encroached on pavements, making it difficult for pedestrians and motorists. While many of these displays carry only festive greetings or birthday wishes, the authorities have not acted on them yet.

"The menace is back and it's bigger than ever. From Govindaraj Nagar to Gottigere, Kadugodi to Kengeri, unauthorised flex boards and cutouts have become an eyesore and a safety hazard,” Rohith N, a marketing professional who travels nearly 70 km daily across the city told TOI.

Despite a 2018 Karnataka High Court ban on flexes and a 'zero-flex' policy by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the banners and cutouts have been placed across the city. "We've been cracking down on illegal posters and banners, but we can't afford to antagonise any politician in the current set-up," a BBMP engineer countered when asked why illegal posters and banners aren't pulled down.

"Most of these banners feature MLAs or ministers. With many eyeing councillor posts and sensing that elections are imminent after the GBG Bill approval, aspirants are desperate to grab the attention of senior leaders," the official explained.

In Vijayanagar and Govindarajnagar, supporters of sitting MLAs Krishnappa and Priyakrishna have filled prominent traffic junctions with birthday greetings. Amid criticism, Priyakrishna publicly distanced himself from the celebrations, citing the recent terror attack in Kashmir.

Even in the tech corridor of Marathahalli-Mahadevapura, flex boards reappear almost immediately after removal, frustrating civic activists.

BBMP data shows that between August 2024 and mid-January 2025, nearly 11,000 flex boards were removed, and penalties totalling Rs 2.7 lakh were collected. A new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been issued, mandating special teams to remove illegal advertisements round-the-clock, register FIRs, and recover removal costs through property tax dues. Police have been directed to assist BBMP teams and arrest violators if needed.

However, with no clear timeline for the SOP’s implementation, citizens remain sceptical.