GHMC faces criticism over missing flag at MJ Market

The national flag has been missing for nearly a month from the high mast at Moazzam Jahi Market after cables broke due to strong winds, with citizens blaming GHMC delays as authorities await approval to repair and reinstall the flagpole.

Hyderabad: For almost a month, the national flag has been missing from the 100-foot-tall flagpole in the central courtyard of the historic Moazzam Jahi Market in the heart of the city, causing dismay among many citizens.

Visitors and shopkeepers from Begum Bazar, Abids and M J Market have raised concerns over the absence of the national flag from the high mast and attribute it to apathy on the part of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

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The 100-foot-tall national flag post was installed at M J Market, the city’s business nerve centre, on the eve of Republic Day, 2020, during the BRS regime.

For the first time, the national flag was lowered in July 2022 to prevent damage during strong, gusty winds and rain, as forecast then by the Meteorological Department. For the second time, after a gap of four years, the national flag was lowered after cables broke due to heavy and gusty winds.

Sources in the GHMC told ‘Telangana Today’ that the national flag was lowered from M J Market after cables connected to support the flagpole suddenly broke due to heavy and gusty winds. The flagpole posed a threat of falling and risk to hundreds of commuters passing through the area, as well as visitors during the evening.

“We have asked the Flags and Poles Agency concerned to submit an estimate for the cost to repair the flagpole cables. The agency, which maintains flagpoles at various locations across the city, said its duties include the installation of national flags and stitching them as per the rules and regulations of the Flag Code of India-2002, and also looking after maintenance works,” said GHMC officials.

The sources said that once the agency submits the cost details, the work will be allotted to rectify the cables and ensure the installation of the flagpole at the courtyard site of M J Market.

The Flags and Poles Agency said it has already submitted the estimate proposals to GHMC and is waiting for a reply. Within a month, the flagpole will be installed once the civic body approves it, they said.