Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 30: Flexes have mushroomed everywhere and they fill the gaps on highways and roadsides. Buntings and flexes that have been hung by the side of the national highways pose real risk of accidents for people moving on them.

A flex hung by a private concern along with three other advertisements located at the Kaikamba convent road bend on Gurpur road are dangerous. A number of accidents have already happened here. Flexes can be seen in Kettikalari, Gurpur, Kaikamba, Ganjimath and Mijar areas.

The villagers have demanded for the removal of these flexes, particularly the one standing at the road bends on roads and highways. They can pose the risk of accidents as the vehicles coming from the other directions might not see the other vehicles. It is common knowledge that too many foxes spoil the look of the highway.

A large number of flexes can be seen on the side of the highway between Kulshekar and Moodbidri. There are allegations that many of those who installed these flexes had not obtained any permission.

Murugesh, National Highways Authority of India Mangaluru assistant engineer, says that local administrations do not have powers to permit commercial flexes on highways. He says that a few private concerns have installed flexes without authorization and the department is trying to remove them.