After more than a year taken in the process, the six clocks in the Clock Tower of Dehradun have started functioning. After decades, the chime of the bell has also been restored albeit in an electronic version. The six clocks were installed at Clock Tower on Friday night. For the preservation of old heritage clocks ,mayor Sunil Uniyal ‘Gama’ has announced to make a museum at Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) premises.
According to the information provided by MCD officials, Chennai based company Indian Clocks provided these six electronic clocks. MCD also took a separate power line from Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL). These clocks cost about Rs 9.5 lakh.
According to officials, it was difficult to uninstall the old machinery from Clock Tower. With new clocks and machinery the sound of bell ringing has also started coming from the tower.
Local shop owners have praised MCD’s efforts stating that it is good to see that the clocks at clock tower are also illuminated during the night. The chime of the bell ringing has also been appreciated by the local citizens.
It is pertinent to mention here that mayor ‘Gama’ and municipal commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey inspected the new clocks on Saturday. They also made it a point to ensure that the loud ringing sound of bells from Clock Tower do not disturb people during night time. Bridge Ropeway Tunnel and other Infrastructure Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (BRIDCUL) has earlier also done work on strengthening the Clock Tower structure. For the beautification of the tower premises MCD is planning a musical fountain.
It is also important to mention here that some heritage experts even now raise their doubts about the uninstalling procedure of the old clocks. One expert further said that MCD has no proper documentation of heritage clocks and thus it can be presumed that even if some parts of the old clocks are missing MCD will never be able to verify it. Emphasising on the fact that these clocks have high value in antique market, he said that an official enquiry should be conducted in this matter.