Bhagalpur: On the second day of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) coming into force for the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections, the Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation carried out a massive drive to remove political hoardings, banners, and encroachments across the city.
Under the leadership of Jaiprakash Yadav, in-charge of the corporation’s encroachment squad, a two-phase campaign was conducted throughout the day. Nearly eight tractor loads of billboards and banners were seized and stored at the municipal office premises.
The municipal team cleared encroaching hoardings from several areas, including Municipal Corporation Chowk, Tilkamanjhi, Anandgarh, Zeromile Chowk, Kachari Chowk, Patal Babu Marg, Lohia Bridge, Station Chowk, Kotwali Chowk, Nayabazar Chowk, and Adampur. Billboards belonging to political parties, municipal councillors, and even some government departments were removed.
In the second phase of the campaign, teams were deployed late at night to remove banners and posters from unipoles. The administration has warned all political parties to remove their promotional materials immediately. Despite the 24-hour deadline, banners and wall paintings depicting party symbols and agendas were still visible at several locations.
During the drive, fines totaling ₹6,300 were collected. “A snack stall near the municipal office boundary wall was removed, and a peanut vendor’s scale and goods were seized. Additionally, a fine of ₹3,300 was imposed for the use of banned plastic carry bags,” said Encroachment Squad in-charge Jaiprakash Yadav.
Administration Prepares to Boost Voter Turnout
Meanwhile, preparations are underway in Bhagalpur to increase voter participation in the upcoming elections. A meeting was chaired by District SVEEP Core Committee Chairman and Deputy Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Singh to discuss voter awareness initiatives under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program.
Officials planned a series of activities, including oath-taking ceremonies for ethical voting, cycle rallies, awareness foot marches, rangoli competitions, human chains, selfie points, and band processions at the district level. At the block and polling station levels, activities such as door-to-door campaigns, morning walks, voter awareness chaupals, masala processions, and rangoli events will be held.
Municipal Corporation vehicles will play voter awareness jingles, while Smart City LED screens across the city will display informational messages. The SVEEP nodal officer and Director NEP have been instructed to organize a detailed awareness program at the Town Hall.
Municipal Commissioner Shubham Kumar and Joint Director of Public Relations Nagendra Kumar Gupta were present during the meeting.
