THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has made prior permission of the local authority mandatory to place flagpoles and advertisements on the roadsides. Those that are installed without prior permission will be removed immediately. The government has issued an order in this regard. The erection of flagpoles and others for conferences and festivals will be permitted only for a specified day. Local authorities will ensure that there is no obstruction to traffic and pedestrians.

Organizers must also ensure that they will remove the flagpoles and advertisements themselves before the expiration of this period. Meanwhile, Minister MV Govindan said that the local government secretaries would immediately remove the flagpoles, pennants and advertisements which are currently obstructing traffic and pedestrians.

The guidelines were issued as per the decision of the all-party meeting chaired by the Chief Minister following the High Court verdict.

Flagpoles and other stuff may be erected on private walls and compounds with the permission of the owner in a manner that does not affect traffic.