The Municipal Corporation is planning to charge private firms for putting up advertisements on the roundabouts and green patches they maintain.

At present, private firms maintain these roundabouts and green patches along the V-4 and V-5 roads. In return, the civic body allows them to put up advertisements.

This proposal will be part of a policy on allotment of roundabouts to private firms for development and maintenance, which the civic body is planning to formulate.

The issue will be taken up in the Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) meeting on October 29.

At present, these roundabouts are allotted on first-come first-serve basis. And in case of more than one interested party, selection becomes difficult.

There are 20 roundabouts and green patches that fall under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation.

Due to shortage of staff, these are given into private hands.

According to the proposal, these roundabouts will be allotted for a two-year period, which can be extended for another year at the request of the private firm, and on the same terms and conditions.

An MC official agreed that private firms spend money on maintenance of these roundabouts, but “some money can still be charged”.

At present, a committee looks into the proposals of private firms, and the Architecture department gives the final nod on placement of advertisements. And if the firm exceeds the approved size of advertisement, it is fined.

Administration’s policy on advt unclear

While the Municipal Corporation is planning to charge for putting up advertisements, the UT Administration has an ambiguous policy regarding display of advertisements. Ads are allowed on CTU buses, AC taxis and bus queue shelters. But owners of non-AC taxis, LPG autos and Tuk-Tuks have been barred from displaying ads.