Iconic Clock Tower at Hampankatta to be rebuilt

The Clock Tower, an iconic structure at Hampankatta which was demolished two decades ago, will be rebuilt under Smart City Project.

Mangaluru Smart City Ltd, a special purpose vehicle constituted for implementing the projects under the mission, has proposed to reconstruct the Clock Tower at an estimated cost of Rs 90 lakh.

Though Clock Tower was pulled down two decades ago, Mangalureans still get nostalgic about it. The place, where it stood, is still addressed as Clock Tower even to this day.

The Clock Tower was demolished to facilitate the road widening work. It will be rebuilt at the same place near the University College in Hampankatta. The project has already received approval from the smart city and short-term tender would be invited shortly.

In fact, Mangaluru City Corporation had planned to build the Clock Tower in 2010. The then MCC Commissioner Dr K N Vijayaprakash had even contemplated conducting a national-level competition for architects and designers to design the tower. However, things did not materialise.

Later in 2013, MLA J R Lobo had placed a proposal to construct the Clock Tower. Now, the proposal has been revived through Smart City project.

The MCC wants to lay the foundation for Clock Tower at the earliest and has the prepared blueprint for the same. Bids have been invited to construct the tower. The bids will be opened on January 15.

According to MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer, the 21-metre tall tower will have clocks on four sides. It has been proposed to have a garden below the tower.

MLA J R Lobo said, "Our idea is to construct a clock tower that will give the city a new look. Traffic will not be affected by the construction work. New technology will be used."

Mayor Kavitha Sanil said reconstruction of the Clock Tower is a long-pending dream. It will bring back the old memories of Mangaluru, she added.