Hyderabad to get new clock towers of London tower style striking system

HYDERABAD: The state would get new clock towers and new clocks would replace dysfunctional ones in the city to revive the old tradition of clocks striking the hour to remind the people of the time, a watch outlet said on Saturday.

Laxman Chuggani, founder of Ramesh Swiss Watch Gallery, said the new clocks would be GPS enabled. Nalgonda, Mettuguda and Linganapet in Siddipet will have new clock towers, the Uppal Cricket Stadium will have two new clocks, while Murgi Chowk and Shalibanda's clocks will be replaced with automatic electronic GPS clocks. Amongst these, the 10-feet clock to be set up at Siddipet would be the most unique, Chuggani said.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Chuggani said, “This clock has a striking system which can be heard for two kilometres. It will have the light switched on from 6 pm to 6 am.” He said the clock would be maintenance-free.

He said the latest clock they had installed was at Sultan Bazaar. The electric clocks are water and dustproof and have solar battery back-up of two days, Chuggani said, adding the GPS feature would ensured that the time is corrected automatically.

“The idea behind these towers is a revival of an era 200 years ago. I have tried to maintain a balance between modernity and the old times,”Chuggani said. The highlight was the Roman figures on the dial, and the clocks would sound like the London tower clock, he said.