Ludhiana Shopkeepers Call for Immediate Reinstallation of National Flag at Model Town Market
As the nation commemorates the 77th Republic Day with tricolors proudly unfurled across cities, a peculiar situation has emerged in Ludhiana's Model Town Gol Market. Shopkeepers in this bustling commercial area are raising their voices, urging municipal authorities to promptly reinstall the national flag on the pole situated within the park inside the market premises.
Flag Removal and Unresolved Restoration
The controversy stems from earlier actions when the flagpole developed visible cracks, necessitating urgent repairs for safety reasons. During this maintenance work, the national flag was respectfully removed. However, shopkeepers now report that even after the pole was successfully repaired and made structurally sound, the tricolor was never put back in its rightful place.
Arvind Sharma, a local shopkeeper who brought this issue to public attention, expressed his disappointment, stating, "It reflects poorly on our civic authorities that the flag was removed and never returned to the pole. During this period when flags are being hoisted with pride across our city, this pole stands bare, which is disheartening to see."
Jurisdictional Confusion and Official Correspondence
The situation has been further complicated by jurisdictional matters between different civic bodies. The Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT), which originally installed the national flags at Bhai Wala Chowk and Model Town Gol Market, has formally communicated with the Municipal Corporation (MC).
In a detailed letter to the MC commissioner, the Trust clarified that while they carried out the park's renovation work in 2023 and installed the national flag, maintaining it for two subsequent years, the park now falls under MC jurisdiction. Consequently, the responsibility for maintaining the national flag has shifted to the Municipal Corporation.
The correspondence specifically requested the commissioner to direct concerned officials to ensure proper maintenance of the national flag in accordance with the provisions of the National Flag Act.
Safety Concerns and Previous Repairs
Earlier, shopkeepers had raised legitimate safety concerns regarding the flagpole's condition. They highlighted that the cracks had made the structure risky, with potential danger of collapse that could threaten both pedestrians and nearby shops. Responding to these concerns, the LIT engaged the original contractor who had installed the pole during the park's earlier renovation to conduct necessary repairs.
While the repair work addressed the structural issues, the flag's absence has created a new problem that shopkeepers believe requires immediate resolution, especially during Republic Day celebrations.
Citywide Flag Displays and Cost Considerations
Across Ludhiana, national flags are prominently displayed at several key locations, including two impressive 100-foot flags maintained by the Municipal Corporation at Jagraon Bridge and on Pakhowal Road near the Sidhwan Canal Bridge. Both these massive flags were recently replaced with new ones after the previous flags showed signs of wear and damage.
Municipal officials have indicated that procuring fresh national flags involves specific procedures, including ordering from Delhi, with each flag costing approximately Rs 15,000, inclusive of GST. This cost factor and procurement process might be contributing to delays in resolving the Model Town situation.
Recent Developments and Protocol Concerns
In a recent attempt to address the issue, authorities tried to hoist the flag during evening hours after shopkeepers raised their concerns. However, this move faced opposition from the very shopkeepers who had been advocating for the flag's restoration.
They correctly pointed out that hoisting the national flag in the evening contravenes established protocols under the National Flag Act. The shopkeepers insisted that any flag hoisting should properly occur on Monday morning, adhering to prescribed guidelines and showing due respect to the national symbol.
Attempts to reach MC executive engineer Raman Kaushal for official comments on this matter were unsuccessful, leaving several questions unanswered regarding the timeline for resolution.
As Republic Day celebrations continue across India, the situation in Ludhiana's Model Town Gol Market serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining national symbols with proper care and respect, while highlighting the need for efficient coordination between different civic authorities to address public concerns promptly.
