New Delhi, Sep 1 (IANS) With just over a month to go for the Commonwealth Games, Delhi Urban Development Minister A.K. Walia Wednesday said that around 63,000 posters, hoardings and boards have been removed from the capital between January and August.

Chairing a review meeting on defacement, Walia also asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi Police to make the capital free of posters and hoardings before the Oct 3-14 Games by launching a forceful drive against it during this month.

According to officials, Delhi Police registered 247 cases against defaulters during April-August.

The maximum cases were registered in north district – 83 – followed by 61 in outer district, 46 in south Delhi and 1 in northwest district.

With reports that the MCD and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) are finding it difficult in getting FIRs registered against those involved in defacement, Walia said a letter has been sent to the Delhi Police commissioner to ask the district police chiefs to intervene in such matters.

‘As far as NDMC areas are concerned, 249 hoardings and 44 advertisement boards were removed between April and July,’ the official added.