City’s mighty clocktowers are lost in time
Clocks useless; city firm hired to service clockfaces is owed `7 lakh in dues by GHMC
The clock towers of the twin cities have become mere landmarks. The ones at Secunderabad, Laad Bazaar, M.J. Market, Sultan Bazar, Murgi Chowk, and Ramgopalpet, no longer function and have been stuck with the same time for a while.
These heritage clocks, reminiscent of an era when not everyone could afford a wristwatch, were working until just a couple of years ago.
Maintaining the clocks is the duty of the GHMC but so far, there has not been much done towards maintenance.
For some, the clocktowers are downright useless. Noor Mohammed, a fruit vendor at the M.J. Market, says the non-functioning clocks have become a joke because people say they always show the same time.
The Ramesh Watch Company in the city used to manage the clocks and the firm was on contract from the GHMC. The company has the technicians who can service and repair these old clocks but the GHMC has not been paying the company for its work and soon, the firm stopped its services.
The owner, Ramesh Chugani, says: “We have been in this business for four decades and never did we face such an issue — non-payment for our services. The truth is nobody is really bothered about our heritage clocks now. In fact, I am yet to receive dues of `7 lakh from the GHMC.”
Meanwhile, the GHMC’s various departments keep passing the buck. The estate officer says it is not his responsibility and the parks section says they are not in charge of maintaining the clocks.
There is some hope, however, with city chief engineer Subhash Singh.
“I’m a Hyderabadi and it hurts to see our heritage clocks lying obsolete. I will personally ensure repair works are taken up,” he said.
For some, the stuck clockfaces have turned into running jokes