The Punjab government will take final decision on the tallest flag in Attari. (Source: PTI)

After continuous monetary losses, India might be forced to take down country’s tallest flag at Attari near the border with Pakistan. The 355-feet tall flag had has been costing Rs 1 lakh a piece. The 120 ft-by-80 ft flag which weighs around 125 kg had to be replaced twice since it was hoisted for the first time on 5th March. The fabric of this flag was getting damaged by the wind cause a huge loss. Since there are only 12 stand by flags left, the only possible solution to this problem was to hoist the flag only on special occasions.

Another solution discussed was to use a parachute fabric entirely that costs nearly Rs 4 lakh and comes with a three-month guarantee. This would have led to added financial burden and the current flag already has parachute material stitched to the cloth at vulnerable areas, on the outer sides. The Punjab government has recently formed a committee to for maintenance of the flag that comprises officials of the Trust and district administration. It will soon address the issue.

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If we have to replace five flags in a month, it would translate into 60 flags a year. This would mean that more than Rs 60 lakh would be required annually to keep the flag hoisted. I have proposed that the flag will be hoisted on special occasions like Independence Day, Republic Day and festivals like Holi and Diwali. The issue will be discussed during the meeting of the newly formed committee,” Rajeev Sekhri, superintending engineer, Amritsar Improvement Trust, told The Indian Express.

The flag has become a major tourist attraction since it was hoisted as thousands of tourists come to watch it during the Beating Retreat Ceremony at the sunset. Amritsar city already has a 170-foor tall flag in the local Ranjit Avenue Public Park but the new mast was set up near the tourism building just at 150-metres distance the rom border.