Mysuru heritage site faces mounting damage from illegal flex banners

The Mysuru Grahak Panchayat (MGP), a civic advocacy group, has intensified calls for a comprehensive crackdown on illegal flex banners that are increasingly damaging the architectural and cultural heritage of the historic city. The organisation has identified widespread violations of regulations prohibiting unauthorised advertising on structures and public spaces throughout Mysuru.

MGP's intervention highlights the scale of the problem, with activists documenting numerous instances of flex banners obscuring heritage buildings, monuments, and streetscapes. The group has urged local authorities to treat the matter with urgency, arguing that continued inaction threatens the city's status as a heritage destination.

Key demands from the advocacy group include filing First Information Reports (FIRs) against repeat offenders and implementing a cost-recovery mechanism to fund removal operations. MGP representatives have called for stricter enforcement of existing municipal bylaws governing outdoor advertising, along with penalties proportional to the damage caused to heritage structures.

The campaign reflects broader concerns among Mysuru's residents about preservation of the city's cultural landscape amid rapid commercialisation. Authorities have acknowledged the issue but have faced criticism over inconsistent enforcement of advertising regulations. The matter now appears set to test the commitment of civic administration to balance commercial interests with heritage conservation objectives.