Delhi PWD to Remove All 500 National Flags After Weather Damage

Delhi's Public Works Department (PWD) has decided to take down all 500 national flags erected across the city following numerous complaints of damage. Officials confirmed the decision on Saturday, citing adverse weather conditions, particularly strong winds over the past few days, as the cause of the damage.

The PWD had installed these large, 115-foot-high flags at approximately 500 prominent locations throughout Delhi. While made of polyester material to withstand the elements, the flags proved vulnerable to the recent severe winds. The initiative to install the flags began in 2022 under the previous Aam Aadmi Party government's 'Deshbhakti' budget, aiming to foster a sense of nationalism by displaying the tricolor widely.

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We will re-hoist the flags after the thunderstorm warning of IMD is cleared. Due to strong winds and bad weather, several flags were torn and damaged, so we have decided to bring all of them down across the city to prevent further damage.

An official stated that the flags will be re-hoisted once the thunderstorm warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has passed. The current measure is to prevent further damage to the already torn and damaged flags. Teams are currently on the ground assessing the condition of each flag and identifying those that need replacement.

During the installation process, the department adhered to the 2002 Flag Code of India. The flags were strategically placed at key intersections and main roads to ensure maximum visibility for residents. The PWD is working to replace damaged flags and expects the process to take some time.

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Our teams are on the ground checking if any flag is damaged. We will replace them with undamaged flags, as these are big flags. It is taking some time.