NDMC to build iconic clock tower at Talkatora roundabout

NEW DELHI: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has finalised a design and prepared the estimates for constructing a clock tower at the Talkatora Roundabout after receiving necessary approvals from the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) last month.NDMC Vice Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal on Sunday informed that a magnificent clock tower will be constructed at the Talkatora Roundabout with the aim of enhancing the visual identity and architectural beauty of Lutyens' Delhi. “It will be approximately 27 metres tall and feature a 2-metre diameter clock. The structure will have an octagonal design, constructed using RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete), and will be adorned with a layer of clay bricks,” he said.The surrounding area will feature granite flooring, steel railings, and marble decorations. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 1.3 crore, and the target is to complete construction by December 2025. The project might be tabled in the council meeting for final approval.Chahal stated that most municipal bodies across the country have iconic clock towers as symbols of a city's identity, heritage, and architectural significance, and now NDMC will also develop such a grand architectural landmark.

“It will not only serve as a new attraction for Lutyens' Delhi but also mark the entry point into the NDMC area from nearby MCD regions such as Rajendra Nagar and Karol Bagh. There will be internal stairs constructed at the facility to enable maintenance and repairs. For safety, railings will be installed around the tower, and the base will be decorated with marble,” stated the Vice Chairman while adding that the project reflects the national mission of beautifying Indian cities and preserving cultural heritage.Earlier, the NDMC got the soil of the proposed location tested for building the clock tower via a private agency at the proposed site (Talkatora Roundabout), and the soil was found suitable for building the clock tower structure. “Since construction of the tower required amendments in the layout plan, NDMC sent an updated proposal to DUAC for approval. The agency took some specific details, including technical ones, about the Ghantaghar layout plan from NDMC, and gave consent in April,” said an official earlier.NDMC initiated a search for a suitable location to erect a clock tower following Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's inspection in April. Previously, the ‘New Delhi Town Hall’ featured a clock tower atop its headquarters, but the structure was demolished in the 1980s to make way for the present NDMC building.