Kashmir Digits

Indian national flag could soon be seen atop of Srinagar’s historic Hari Parbat Fort according to the administration.

The Kashmir administration has directed several of its departments to issue a conditional No Objection Certificate (NOC) for installation of a massive Indian national flag at the 213-year-old Hari Parbat fort in Srinagar.

The proposal to hoist the flag – 24 feet x 36 feet – at the hilltop fort was made by the Flag Foundation of India. 

The Foundation had sought “all necessary logistical support from the Divisional Administration as well as from the stakeholders viz. Archeological Survey of India, UT of J&K, Forest Department, Airport Authority of India, Tourism Department”.

Following the proposal, a meeting was chaired by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir who directed “all the concerned departments shall ensure provision of conditional NOC”.

Hari Parbat.

Hari Parbat fort, located atop a hill in Srinagar’s old city, was built in 1808 under the reign of Afghan governor Atta Mohammed Khan. The first fortifications on the site were constructed by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1590 which served as a garrison for Mughal troops. 

When can the flag be hoisted?

The Divisional Commissioner directed that a joint survey should be conducted by all the stakeholders and the possibility should be explored for installing the flag “within the deadline” of 5 August.

“The chair directed that either the Archaeological Survey of India shall carry out the excavation/digging process by themselves or by Flag Foundation of India under the overall supervision of ASI,” read the minutes of the meeting released yesterday.

Mushtaq Ahmad Beigh, Assistant Director Archives Archaeology and Museums, Srinagar, said that the digging process has been completed 

“The digging was soon started after the order and is ready for further work. It was done in the presence of people from the department and we did not excavate anything,” he said.