The Pune Municipal Corporation has proposed spending Rs 1 crore to erect a 100-foot saffron flag at Sinhagad Fort, but the plan requires approval from the civic body’s general body because the historic fort lies outside the corporation’s geographical limits.
The proposal includes constructing a flagpole, beautifying the surrounding area and permanently maintaining the flag. The provision has been made in the Pune civic body’s 2026-27 budget under the Building Department.
Standing Committee Chairman Srinath Bhimale said approval from the general body would be necessary under the provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act. The proposal was tabled in the Standing Committee by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram.
According to the civic administration, the project is intended to recognise the historical and cultural importance of Sinhagad Fort and honour Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha Empire. The administration has also said that the installation could support tourism and strengthen citizens’ sense of historical identity and pride.
A site inspection was conducted at Sinhagad on September 11. Following the inspection, the proposed location for the flagpole was identified in the tourist accommodation area owned by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. The source report did not specify the height or design of the flagpole beyond stating that it would support a 100-foot flag.
The jurisdictional issue places the project within a wider administrative process involving land outside the PMC’s formal limits. Although the funding provision is included in the corporation’s budget, the civic body cannot proceed solely on the basis of that allocation if the required general body approval has not been obtained.
The proposal also builds on the PMC’s earlier involvement at Sinhagad. In 2014, the corporation beautified the tomb of Narveer Tanaji Malusare after the Standing Committee and general body approved the work. That project was completed in 2019.
The current proposal combines civic spending, heritage-related work and visitor-area beautification at a fort managed in a setting that extends beyond Pune’s municipal boundary. Its next formal step is consideration and approval by the PMC general body under the applicable provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act.
