KARIMNAGAR, AUGUST 11, 2026: At the time when the countdown has begun for the 80th Independence Day celebrations, the 150-feet-tall flagpole, erected on the sprawling Government Old High School grounds in the heart of Karimnagar town, is without the Tricolour for several months.
The district authorities have failed to hoist the Tricolour at Telangana state’s second-tallest monumental flagpole in Karimnagar, which now stands bare, without any fluttering of the Tricolour. Ironically, the BJP, which talks about patriotism and national pride, has attained the Mayor post of the MCK, but is not taking any measures to hoist the Tricolour on the tallest flag post in Karimnagar.
Installed with much fanfare in February 2019, the flagpole was envisioned as a landmark to instil nationalism and attract tourists. The Municipal Corporation of Karimnagar has spent a whopping sum of Rs 76 lakhs on the project, and the national flag fluttered proudly atop the structure.
However, the pole has remained mostly flagless, with as many as 36 flags either torn or blown away due to extreme weather conditions. It was a matter of pride to see the flag from a distance. It stood tall among the towering buildings of the town, but now it is appalling to see that the MCK has failed to put up the flag. The one fluttering earlier was shredded.
The national flag to be hoisted on the flag post would not be lowered even at sunset, as it would be illuminated. Ironically, when the flag was fluttering, the illumination was also not seen at the flag pole during the nighttime. Despite repeated appeals from residents to use wind-resistant fabric to withstand the elements, no concrete action has been taken by the MCK officials.
People of the town have demanded the MCK authorities to at least hoist the Tricolour before the Independence Day celebrations to mark the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
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