Citing Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, the State government has rejected a proposal mooted by a private trust — the Chennai Tricolour Initiative — to install a 207-feet pole with the national flag on the scenic Marina beach near the Gandhi statue. Had it been allowed, the flagpole would have become the tallest in the State to fly the national flag.
“The proposed installation of the flag pole at Marina comes under the Coastal Regulation Zone. Any activity, in violation of the provisions of the CRZ notification, 2011, may invite strong criticism from the public and environmentalists. Hence, the request could not be considered,” the Public Department stated in its response to the request.
Vijay Anand, the managing trustee of the Chennai Tricolour Initiative, who has been spearheading the campaign for the flagpole on the Marina beachfront for over three years, claimed that he managed to obtain clearance from the Greater Chennai Corporation, the Chennai Police Commissioner and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry.
“We have also been mobilising funds for the purpose. School students too have donated ₹10 to ₹20 to see our national flag on the Marina. We have mobilised over ₹14 lakh so far. We only want to see our national flag fly high on the scenic beach in our city. We will look at all options, including approaching the Governor,” said Mr. Vijay Anand.
‘No decision yet’
Though a few senior officers were in favour of the proposal, some cited technicalities only to delay the project, Mr. Vijay Anand charged. Officials in the Public Department could not be reached for a comment.
Informed sources, however, said a final decision had not been taken yet on the proposal and claimed they were not aware of the reply made through the Chief Minister’s Cell. Since the site carried the risk of bearing the brunt of cyclones, the proposal was still being discussed, they said. Also, there were concerns that the flag post might reduce the significance of the Republic Day observed every year at the same site and also the Gandhi statue, they added.
