PUNE: At a time when the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is struggling to repair and maintain the existing two tall flagpoles, the Standing Committee approved erection of three more 45-metre flagpoles in the city on Tuesday.
Former standing committee chairman Yogesh Mulik (Vadgaonsheri area), Shiv Sena corporator Sanjay Bhosale and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) corporator Sachin Dodke (Warje-Malwadi area) had demanded the flagpoles in their ward areas, which were sanctioned by the Standing Committee.
The committee sanctioned Rs 2.5 crore to erect the three flagpoles at Chima Garden in Yerawada, Dnyaneshwari Garden at Warje and Raja Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Garden at Vadgaonsheri.
The PMC has already erected a 72-metre flagpole in Katraj and a 45-metre flagpole at Shaniwarwada.
Civic officials oppose move
Speaking to Sakal Times, PMC Additional City Engineer of Electrical Department Shriniwas Kandul said, “The corporation spends Rs 10 lakh to repair and maintain each tall flagpole. The Katraj flagpole is the first one in the city. It is 72-metres tall and we are facing problems in maintaining it. The flag gets damaged due to high wind pressure. Therefore, we have to change the flag frequently and that costs more as compared to other flagpoles.”
He added, “We objected to tall flagpoles. However, the committee approved the proposals. Now, we have decided that the department will not instal tall flagpoles in the city in the future.”
Flagpoles at Katraj and Shaniwarwada
The trend of erecting tall flagpoles was started by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Corporator Vasant More. He installed a flagpole in Katraj with ward development funds in January 2016. According to the PMC, it is India’s fifth tallest flagpole and the highest in the State. It will be a major tourist attraction along with Katraj lake and Katraj zoo.
After a few months, another flagpole was installed on Shaniwarwada premises in December 2016 at the initiative of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Corporator Hemant Rasane.