There has been debate among people regarding the inexplicable decision by officials to remove the century-old clock tower from the main junction of Nalgonda town, since most associate the clock tower with the town’s history. Many residents of the town are not happy about the removal of the clock tower in the name of beautification.
Greenery, fountains, and colorful lights are being installed at the clock tower junction as part of a beautification project. Despite the construction of a new clock tower not being completed, the century-old clock tower was removed from the junction.
For the people of Nalgonda, the “Pedda gadiyaram” was more than just a timepiece. A four-faced squaroid clock atop a 25-foot pillar has been a landmark for the town for decades. The building witnessed all phases of the Telangana movement, including the agitations of the people. In the district headquarters, protests and rallies were traditionally launched from the clock tower by people’s organizations and political parties.
Nalgonda’s clock tower was one of ten clocktowers set up by the Nizam on the occasion of the silver jubilee celebrations. It was made of brass components with four clocks interconnected in a cage to keep identical times and an inbuilt lamp for nighttime use.
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People never considered the clock a waste one, despite its demise due to municipal negligence, and reminisced about their memories when passing through it.
A 90-year-old freedom fighter Penna Anatha Rama Sharm stated that the clock existed even before his birth. The number of people who wore wristwatches in Nalgonda town six decades ago was very small. People depended on the ‘Pedda Gadiyaram’ to know the time when they went to offices or workplaces.
He also said that the ‘gadiyaram’ was located on the route of government offices, hospitals, educational institutions, and main markets like Prakasham Bazaar and Gunj. In his opinion, heritage structures like the Pedda Gadiyaram should not be destroyed in the name of development or beautification.
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