Times News NetworkNew Delhi: Delhi govt has commissioned a study to identify more durable fabric for national flags installed across the city, following repeated damage by strong winds and adverse weather.Public Works Department (PWD) minister Parvesh Verma said on Wednesday that engineers have been told to choose a fabric that can better withstand wind pressure.“A team of engineers is leading a study to determine the exact type of fabric which is not damaged, discoloured easily. The team is visiting big manufacturers and testing the materials,” Singh said.After getting several complaints of damage, the PWD had earlier this month decided to temporarily bring down all 500 national flags across the city.“The team will select five types of flag fabrics which will then be tested for wear and tear. The strongest will be be selected,” the minister added.According to an official, 115-foot-high flagpoles have been installed at 500 locations. The flags are made out of polyester to prevent them from frequent damage. However, they could not withstand strong winds.The usual practice is that four times a year, the national flags are replaced, including Independence Day and Republic Day.“The flags are huge, our current maintenance involves washing the flags five times a year, but the fabric material is unable to stand the wind pressure. We will ask the new contractors to replace the flags,” Singh further said.The work of installing national flags started in 2022 under the previous AAP govt.While installing these flags, the department has taken into cognizance the 2002 Flag Code of India rules that pertain to the laws and practices around the display of the national flag.The locations of the tricolors are key intersections on main roads to ensure that every resident of Delhi comes across these flags in their neighbourhoods.
