Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 10: The historic Bavutagudde in the city is set to house the tallest national flag pole in the coastal region. With the construction work in its final stages, authorities are planning to inaugurate the monumental structure on Independence Day, August 15.
The flag pole, erected inside Tagore Park at Bavutagudde, stands at an impressive height of 90 meters (295 feet). The structure will feature a complete Ashoka Pillar design at the top, including the four-lion emblem and the Ashoka Chakra. Once inaugurated, the national flag will fly at the highest point in the coastal region, serving as a towering symbol of patriotism and national integration.
The project is being executed under the Mangaluru Smart City initiative. Earlier, member of legislative council Manjunath Bhandary had written to the urban development minister, urging the installation of a monumental flag pole to permanently hoist the Indian flag at this historic site. Following this, the Smart City project invited tenders and commenced the work. The pole is situated right next to the statue of freedom fighter Kedambadi Ramaiah Gowda.
Prior to this, a 75-meter-tall flag pole was inaugurated at Kadri Park on September 18, 2024. At that time, it was the second tallest in the state and the tallest in the coastal region. During the initial planning phase for the tallest flag pole under the Smart City project, five locations were inspected—Kadri Park, Bavutagudde, Nehru Maidan, Mangala Stadium, and the Circuit House. After a comprehensive study of soil structure and wind dynamics, Kadri Park and Bavutagudde's Tagore Park were finalised.
Bavutagudde holds immense historical significance in India's freedom struggle. Before the First War of Indian Independence, the British ruled the region with Mangaluru as their headquarters. Revolutionary leader Kedambadi Ramaiah Gowda famously organized local farmers, fought the British, and successfully captured Mangaluru. He lowered the British flag and hoisted the revolutionary flag of the land, declaring independence for about 13 days.
Since that historic event, the area has been known as 'Bavutagudde' (Flag Hill). The installation of this new, towering national flag pole will immortalize the historical name and the legacy of the site.