Visakhapatnam: The famous Jagadama junction, known as Yellammathota prior to the construction of the Jagadamba theater in 1970, will soon have a 60-feet clock tower. It will have clocks on all the four sides.
This is being done as part of the beautification of 20 junctions and 16 roads in the city at a cost of '25 crore by the GVMC.
“In addition to the clock tower, a fountain will be set up with beautiful landscaping,’’ said Mayor Hari Kumari. The tower would cost '2. 8 crore.
Andhra Pradesh is known for clock towers mostly built by the Dutch and the British in the 18th Century.
Vizianagaram town has a clock tower called Ganta Stambham. This 68-feet tall, octagonal tower was built in 1885 at a cost of '5400 by the-then scion of Vizianagaram.
Bheemili Tower built by the Dutch in the 18th Century is said to be the oldest in the state.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Visakhapatnam, the King George Hospital (KGH) clock tower, is a four-storied construction at the centre of the symmetrical building. Dewan Bahadur Panaganti Ramayaningar, the then chief minister of the Madras Province, inaugurated the building on July 19, 1923.
The clock tower was built in the early 1950s. Andhra University’s Physics department clock tower was erected between 1926 and 1932 by the Maharaja of Jeypore.
The Kurupam clock tower, located in the old town area, was demolished by the GVMC.
Another famous clock tower is located in Anantapur. Standing tall at 42 metres, the tower was built in 1892 by British engineer Rees Redwood to commemorate the coronation of Queen Victoria. It was designed to resemble the Big Ben clock tower in London. The building was made of granite stones and featured four clock faces, each measuring 5 feet in diameter.
