Dehradun: After a mysterious theft, Dehradun’s iconic clock tower, the Ghanta Ghar, stopped ticking, leaving everyone in shock and despair. Surprisingly, the thieves have stolen the lights, dismantling the cable meant to support the functioning of the hexagonal clock which was ordered from Switzerland in 1953.
This matter came to the light on Monday when the Municipal Corporation office received information that clocks on the Ghanta Ghar have stopped ticking and chiming for the last many days. Despite a police station close to Ghanta Ghar, this daredevil act of thieves astonished the residents of Dehradun.
Many valuables are missing
When a team of municipal officials visited the spot and investigated the matter, they found that a precious nozzle installed for the fountain and cables of the lights illuminating the clock tower were missing. According to the Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Kumar, “The thieves have stolen wires, items and panels along with the lights installed for beautification purposes. These valuables have been stolen twice before.”
Witness to statehood agitation
Being a witness to many agitations and movements, this clock tower has a great significance for the Dehradun city. Standing in the heart of the city, this monument is witness to the rallies, agitations and protests for the separate statehood for Uttarakhand, along with many other demonstrations for religious and political motives.
Foundation stone was laid by then governor Sarojini Naidu
This clock tower was built by a rich man of Dehradun, Anand Singh and the foundation stone was laid by then governor of Uttar Pradesh Sarojini Naidu on 24th July, 1948 and this clock tower became a symbol of Dehradun’s pride in later years.
Lal Bahadur Shastri inaugurated the construction work
The clock tower’s architecture was different initially as it had a square shape but later it was modified and changed into a hexagonal shape. Six clocks have been installed on the top of the clock tower. In the year of 1953, these clocks were also ordered from Switzerland along with heavy machines. The significance of these clocks is evident from the fact that the construction of this clock tower began in 1948 and was completed in 1953. It was inaugurated by the then Railway Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri.
