Tricolour brought down after Atal Setu lights stolen in Goa
Times of India | 14 hours ago | 05-08-2022 | 09:12 am
Times of India
14 hours ago | 05-08-2022 | 09:12 am
PANAJI: One of the tallest national flags in Goa - that stands between two lanes of Atal Setu - had to be lowered on Thursday after unidentified thieves stole the focus lights that illuminated it. In addition, thieves also decamped with expensive focus lights that were used to illuminate the cables of the bridge. According to a Supreme Court order, the tricolour can only be flown at night if it's illuminated. The lights that lit up the tricolour are estimated to cost Rs 60,000, while those of the Setu cost around Rs 6.2 lakh. Panaji police registered an FIR against unknown person for the theft. Meanwhile, GSIDC were flummoxed about the theft, since the bulky lights would not be easy to steal. "What kind of people would steal such special lights," a furious official asked. Even as CM Pramod Sawant exhorted residents in the state to hoist the tricolour, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has been forced to lower the tiranga outside the KTC bus stand because thieves decamped with the focus lights that illuminate it. The thieves also stole the expensive focus lights on Atal Setu. GSIDC has filed a police complaint. According to GSIDC officials, two focus lights valued at approximately Rs 6.3 lakh, which were used to illuminate the cables of Atal Setu, were stolen over a period since May. The focus lights for the tricolour were valued at a total of Rs 60,000.. "The flag had to be brought down on Wednesday because there were no lights, and as per the Supreme Court order, the tricolour has to be illuminated at night. We will hoist the flag again on Friday when new lights are installed. The order has been placed," said a GSIDC official. An unknown person was booked by Panaji police for stealing two facade lights used to illuminate the cables. Police said that based on the complaint, an FIR has been registered. The Union home ministry permits citizens to fly the tiranga even at night after industrialist Naveen Jindal won a court battle in the 1990s. While agreeing that flying the tricolour is a fundamental right of every citizen, the SC put a rider saying that the flagpole should be tall and the flag well-illuminated. GSIDC officials remain flummoxed over the robbery, since it would not be an easy task to steal the heavy lights without being noticed. Officials remain in the dark as there is very little CCTV surveillance around the bridge even though several CCTV cameras with facial and automatic numberplate recognition features have been installed under the Smart City mission. "There is only one CCTV camera with Heera petrol pump, and we have asked Goa police to look and see if they see any suspicious activity," a GSIDC official said.
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