Clock Tower stops ticking again; original patron's kin raise concern
Dehradun: The iconic Clock Tower in Dehradun—one of the city's oldest landmarks—has stopped functioning once again amid ongoing beautification work. For the family that originally commissioned the structure in the 1940s, the sight of malfunctioning clocks and repeated alterations is disheartening.
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The maintenance work led to the clocks stopping several weeks ago. Spot visits this week revealed inconsistent functioning—while five of the tower's six clocks showed the correct time on Thursday evening, one remained out of sync.
"The state to which this iconic landmark has been reduced is disappointing and disheartening," said Vijay Singh, grandson of Lala Balbir Singh, in whose memory the structure was commissioned.
Completed in 1953, the tower stands at one of Dehradun's busiest intersections. It was commissioned by Lala Sher Singh, a prominent landlord, in memory of his father, at a cost of nearly ₹1.5 lakh. Originally, six clocks were imported from Switzerland, contributing to its rare hexagonal design. The structure also bears the names of freedom fighters, adding to its historical significance.
Over time, however, the original Swiss clocks were replaced—though authorities are unaware of when or how the change occurred.
"Sometimes we regret handing the tower over to the city council. This was a historic landmark; it still is. It meant so much to our family and the whole city. Now it has become a prop that undergoes a facelift every few months, it seems. Authorities should be focused on maintaining the existing structure.
Instead, they keep revamping the whole thing, adding new embellishments that don't last long," Singh told TOI.
The family also said they only learn about changes through news reports.
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"We are never informed or involved in this process. Not even historians are. Authorities keep experimenting with this iconic landmark. At the time of its commission, it created history for its hexagonal structure. Now it is being lost," he added.
In Sept last year, the tower fell silent for two days after unidentified individuals stole its wiring. In Dec, it suffered further damage when a truck rammed into its boundary wall.
Over the years, TOI has reported multiple such incidents that have left the landmark defaced.
Authorities have stated that the current restoration will offer long-term protection, with a double boundary to prevent vehicle collisions and a green belt around the main structure. While the Dehradun Municipal Corporation has jurisdiction over the tower, the ongoing beautification is being executed by Dehradun Smart City Limited.
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