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Secunderabad Iconic Clock Tower stuck in time
What is Secunderabad without the mention of the iconic Clock Tower that dates back to over 200 years. The heritage structure was the centrepiece during the 200th anniversary celebrations in 2006 but ten years down the line, all is forgotten and the clock tower seems dwarfed as the metro pillars tower over it at a stone’s throw away and the clock stands still for want of repairs.
Secunderabad: What is Secunderabad without the mention of the iconic Clock Tower that dates back to over 200 years. The heritage structure was the centrepiece during the 200th anniversary celebrations in 2006 but ten years down the line, all is forgotten and the clock tower seems dwarfed as the metro pillars tower over it at a stone’s throw away and the clock stands still for want of repairs.
Right opposite the Garden Restaurant stands the Clock Tower well protected by a metal wired mesh to ward off drunkards and ganja affected vagabonds. “Thanks to the mesh, anti-social elements cannot enter the park. We are maintaining the park well but the clock needs repair,” says Aruna Jyoti, Horticultural Officer, Clock Tower Park.
There is also a fountain that is put to use only on special occasions but has a long history stretching back in time to 1897. It was inaugurated by the then Resident Sir Trevor John Chichele Plowden.
The clock was being maintained by Ramesh Watch Co but due to funds not being released by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the clock has been lying in neglect for the last three years. Ramesh Chugani of Ramesh Watch Co says, “The GHMC has to clear bills close to Rs 9 lakh for the eight clocks that we maintained across the city, including the Secunderabad Clock Tower. Officials refused to release funds stating that the clocks were not working.” He goes on to add, “How will the clocks work if the government does not provide funds?”
The other clocks maintained by Ramesh Watch Co are the ones at Ramgopalpet Police Station, Market Street, Moazamjahi market, Sultan Bazaar, Murghi Chowk and Lal Bahadur Stadium. All the clocks are now dysfunctional.
The Secunderabad Clock Tower however, could once again start working as the bill is only Rs 50,000 and it would cost just as much to maintain the clock for a year. According to reliable sources, the GHMC wrote to the Tourism Department to take care of the maintenance of the clock.
“There was a time when citizens would depend on clock towers to check time but with the advent of wrist watches and now mobile phones, people no longer depend on clock towers, but that does not lessen its importance as the Clock Tower in Secunderabad is synonymous to the city as the Charminar is to Hyderabad,” says S Sainath, a resident of Marredpally.
By: T P Venu & Mohammed Younus
