The Times of India    30.12.2014

Nagpur Municipal Corporation temperature display boards immune to the cold

NAGPUR:
When Nagpur city shivered at 5 degree Celsius on Monday morning, your
heart could have taken some warmth from the display boards installed by
Nagpur Municipal Corporation at some of the city’s busy junctions. Most
of the boards display wrong temperatures, including indicating 24 degree
Celsius late on Monday night in this weather.

NMC had
undertaken a project to display temperature, pollution level and time
with private participation. With none of the indicators being
maintained, it seems the civic body’s initiative was simply meant to
help a private advertising agency exploit prime locations.

The
idea behind the move was to generate some revenue for NMC by allowing
advertisements on the boards that display the information. However, the
civic body did not get a single penny. NMC had entrusted a city-based
outdoor advertising agency with the job of erecting 8×6 feet electronic
display boards at many junctions. These boards were meant to display
atmospheric and environmental data on the top one foot, while
advertisements occupy the remaining space. The boards were supposed to
display live temperature, humidity and carbon monoxide levels at the
locations.

Most of these are either not operating or show
incorrect figures. The carbon monoxide (CO) data appears suspect at many
places as compared to traffic density. In the past too TOI has
highlighted this issue, but the civic body failed to ensure correct
display of temperature etc. On Monday, TOI surveyed 11 junctions where
these electronic displays are erected.

It was found these
displays were functioning at only four sites. These displays frequently
show significant difference in temperature between two consecutive
junctions. The display board at Law College Square was showing the
temperature at 24 degree Celsius on Monday at 9.30pm.

“The
non-functioning indicators have exposed the civic body’s intention to
favour advertisers at the cost of taxpayers,” alleged leader of
opposition in the civic body Vikas Thakre.

This was not the
first such instance. In the past too, the civic body had allowed a
private firm to display advertisements on traffic islands. The firm was
also supposed to maintain the islands, but it blatantly ignored these
conditions of the agreement. “As a result, today most traffic islands
are an eyesore, with even the advertisements grills in a dilapidated
condition,” a miffed Thakre said.

“The advertisements are a
good source of income, but not contributing to knowledge sharing.
Authorities need to keep vigil on maintenance of these traffic islands,”
said sources. The idea of using traffic islands was a good concept, but
they highlight bad or no maintenance.

Public works committee
chairman Sandip Joshi expressed concern and assured that he will direct
the concerned department to issue show cause notice to the advertiser.