Ludhiana Range DIG S S Chauhan’s resolve to put the chaotic Ludhiana traffic in the right lane may face stiff resistance from unexpected quarters — the advertising mafia.

The mafia has not spared congested areas such as Fountain Chowk, Bhai Bala Chowk and Malhar Road where illegal hoardings have mushroomed. These hoardings block the view of the driver thereby making the circumstances more susceptible to cause accidents.

And with the sanctioning of 200 new unipoles for the city, the problem has increased manifold.

DIG S S Chauhan said, “Traffic management is one area that needs to be ironed out. As far as the issue of hoardings and unipoles is concerned, I will take up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner and the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Commissioner at the earliest.”

The DIG added: “No doubt, these hoardings are a means to earn revenue for the LMC but they block the view of the driver who can not see the approaching vehicle. This can cause major accidents. I am sure if we shift these hoardings just 10 feet to 15 feet away from the road, it would solve the problem.”