The MCD and the NDMC have issued directions to carefully take down the flags and banners with pictures of Lord Ram and Hanuman that have been put up to decorate Delhi streets to celebrate the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, an official said on January 24.

According to the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), an umbrella body of around 800 trade organisations in Delhi, 10 lakh flags were placed in 700 markets in the capital on the occasion of Ram Lalla 'pran pratishtha' ceremony.

The civic body has directed the officials to keep a check on flags, posters and banners bearing the pictures of Lord Ram and take them down to avoid them from falling down on the streets.

"We have directed all sanitation officers to keep a check on such posters/banners and dispose them off with dignity so as to ensure that no sentiments are hurt," an official of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) told PTI.

On being asked when is the process expected to be completed, the official said the work is being carried out with desired urgency.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has also directed the market associations in their areas to remove decorative items respectfully and dispose them as per protocols.

Khan Market Traders' Association president Sanjeev Mehra told PTI that they had put up 150 flags and approximately 2,000 metres of danglers for the occasion.

Federation on Sadar Bazar Trade Association president Rakesh Kumar Yadav said they will remove all the flag posters collecting items bearing Lord Ram's name and image after the Republic Day celebrations.

They plan to donate these flags to the temples and ashrams.

The Trade Association has also made a public announcement to ensure that the fallen fags or any other decorative item bearing Lord Ram's picture is handled with care till the time they are taken off.

Meanwhile, CTI has formed a team of traders in all markets to responsibly take down the flags in their respective markets.

The traders association has launched an initiative to take down the flags and banners carefully and keep them safely.