Trichy Cracks Down on Political Flagpoles with New Regulations
With assembly elections approaching in a few months, political party flags have already started appearing on Trichy roads. In response, a district-level committee has taken decisive action. The committee has banned the installation of temporary flagpoles on medians and footpaths across the district.
Ending Unregulated Practices
Previously, political parties and various organizations installed poles freely. They often drilled directly into road surfaces without paying any fees. This practice created hazards and damaged public property. The new standard operating procedure changes this completely.
The committee, led by District Collector V Saravanan, issued these orders following a government directive. The revenue and disaster management department prepared this directive in response to Madras High Court rulings concerning statues and flagpoles in public spaces.
Current Problems and New Solutions
Currently, political parties, organizations, and employees' associations erect flags on carriageways, medians, and roundabouts. This practice obstructs commuters' views and creates safety concerns. The new SOP addresses these issues systematically.
Under the new regulations, organizers must apply at least seven days in advance to a district sub-committee. This sub-committee is headed by a sub-collector or RDO officer. Applications must detail several important factors.
- The number of flagpoles required
- Spacing between each pole
- Proposed locations for installation
Specific Placement Rules
The SOP establishes clear placement guidelines. Flagpoles will only be permitted three metres from the edge of the bituminous surface of roads. Organizers will be held fully responsible for any incidents caused by their poles. Legal action will be initiated if required, according to a senior official who spoke to TOI.
Temporary flagpoles must be removed within three days of installation. The regulations also introduce a rental system for these temporary structures.
Financial Penalties and Enforcement
A rent of ₹6 per pole will be collected within city limits. Unauthorized poles will incur a penalty three times the fixed rent. All poles must be properly insulated for safety. The SOP will be enforced by multiple government departments working together.
- State highways department
- Urban local bodies
- Rural development departments
If roads or public property suffer damage, the organizer must restore them completely. P Aiyarappan, a member of the District Road Safety Council, commented on implementation challenges. "In areas where shops are close to the carriageway, implementing the SOP may be challenging," he said. "However, mandatory permissions will ensure accountability."
Clear Timelines and Consequences
Poles left beyond the permitted period will face immediate removal by authorities. The removal costs will be recovered from the organizers directly. The committee has established different rental rates based on local body types.
Rent Structure for Temporary Flagpoles:
- Municipal corporation limit: Rs 6 per flag
- Municipality limit: Rs 5.5 per flag
- Town panchayat limit: Rs 5 per flag
- Village panchayat limit: Rs 5 per flag
Technical Specifications and Banned Areas
The regulations include specific technical requirements for flagpole installation.
Height and Distance Requirements:
- Permitted height of flagpole: 3.5 metres from ground level
- Depth below ground level: 1 metre
- Distance from road: 3 metres from road's edge
Completely Banned Areas:
- Medians and pavements
- Road's bituminous surface and carriageway
- Culverts and bridges
Additional Conditions and Restrictions
The SOP includes several important conditions that organizers must follow strictly.
- Flagpoles can only be drilled on earthen surfaces
- Poles are permitted for three days only (before, on, and a day after the event)
- Sub-committee headed by a sub-collector or RDO grants permission
- Three times the rent as penalty for erecting flagpoles without permission
- Roads should not be drilled for flagpoles under any circumstances
These comprehensive regulations aim to bring order to political flag displays while ensuring public safety and protecting infrastructure. As election season approaches, all political parties and organizations must adapt to these new rules in Trichy district.
