The towering 405-foot flagpole at the heart of Puneeth Rajkumar District Stadium may not host this year’s Independence Day ceremony as a technical fault remains unresolved.
Experts have found that the cable at the top of the pole has been severed, making repairs from the ground impossible. The Municipal Commissioner said a 405-foot-tall crane would be required to reach the top. The rental cost for such a crane is around ₹28 lakh, and the municipal corporation cannot spend that amount without the consent of all members. If repairs could be done within ₹2–₹3 lakh, the corporation could have handled it directly.
Along with the lights, the flag-hoisting cables also need repair, which will take additional time. Due to these issues, municipal sources say this year’s celebrations are likely to feature a smaller flagpole for the ceremony.
This is not the first time the massive flagpole has faced problems. During this year’s Republic Day in Hosapete, a similar 405-foot pole suffered a malfunction when the flag fell mid-ceremony after its operating cables snapped. That incident led to a probe and raised concerns about the upkeep of such towering structures.