New Delhi: Following a severe storm that struck the national capital, approximately 200 high-mast flags were damaged. The Public Works Department (PWD) announced on Thursday that it will hire a private agency to oversee the maintenance of these flags, which are installed at 500 locations throughout the city.
On Wednesday evening, a powerful hailstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall and winds reaching speeds of 79 kilometers per hour battered the Delhi-NCR region. The storm tragically claimed three lives, uprooted numerous trees, and disrupted both road transport and air traffic.
An official from the PWD stated that the flags, which are mounted on 115-foot-high poles and made from durable polyester to minimize damage, were unable to withstand the intense winds.
“We have initiated the replacement of the damaged national flags since early this morning. Ten teams are currently on-site assessing the condition of the flags. Approximately 200 flags will require replacement, and we expect to complete this work within the next two days,” the official informed the news agency.
To ensure the ongoing upkeep of these large flags, the PWD has issued a tender for a two-year contract, with a budget allocation of Rs 27 crore.
The initiative to install large tricolours across the city began in 2022 under the previous AAP government, as part of its ‘Deshbhakti’ budget aimed at fostering a sense of nationalism among citizens.
“This marks the second instance in recent days that the flags have been damaged. Just a few days ago, nearly all the flags were destroyed and subsequently replaced, and now they have been damaged again. We are actively working to hire a private company for their maintenance, and a tender has already been issued,” added another official.
“During the installation of these flags, the department has carefully considered the regulations outlined in the 2002 Flag Code of India, which govern the proper display and handling of the national flag.”
The tricolors are strategically positioned at key intersections along major roads to maximize visibility.
The public works department is in the process of hiring a private agency responsible for maintaining the flags. This agency will deploy a dedicated team to ensure that the flag masts, motors, and lighting fixtures are all in optimal working condition.
“The agency must also ensure that the surrounding areas are kept clean and free of debris and obstructions,” stated an official.
On Wednesday evening, Delhi experienced strong winds and dust storms, with the city’s primary weather station in Safdarjung recording wind speeds of up to 79 kilometers per hour (km/h). Other weather stations reported similar conditions, with Palam recording 74 km/h, Pragati Maidan at 78 km/h, and Pitampura at 65 km/h, according to the India Meteorological Department.
During the three-hour period from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Safdarjung recorded 12.2 mm of rainfall, while Mayur Vihar received 13 mm and Pitampura recorded 5 mm.
