Encroachers overshadow Ludhiana's iconic Clock Tower

Ludhiana’s Clock Tower, also known as the ‘Ghanta Ghar’, has been marred by encroachments of vendors, rehriwalas and some makeshift shops. These encroachments have blemished the beauty of the historic landmark from the pre-Independence era, giving it a shabby look.

While the Punjab Tourism Department’s office is also located in this red brick tower, officials of the department have failed to preserve the surroundings of the tower from the clutches of the encroachers.

During a visit to the Clock Tower, it was surprising to see that the approach to the tower had been encroached by vendors selling fast food, daily need items, fruits etc from all sides. In fact, there is a makeshift saloon that has been set up, adjoining one of the walls of the tower. The encroachers have tied the tarpaulins of their temporary shops to the grills of the historic tower, presenting an unwelcome sight. Not only are these make-shift shops a sore in the eye, they are also responsible for damaging the paint of the outer walls of the tower.

When a team of The Tribune team went to inquire the reasons for the poor state of affairs, the office of the Punjab Tourism Department was found locked.

On being asked about the reason for the encroachment a garment seller, who sets up his vend at the entrance of the tower, said it wasn’t just him but several others who had been running their vends around the tower for years now and this was their only source of income.

Colonial landmark

Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, popularly known as ‘Ghanta Ghar’, is a landmark in Ludhiana. It has stood tall against the ravages of time, from the beginning of the freedom movement to the partition saga. Clock towers became an important element of supremacy for the British during the colonisation process and their obsession with time made these towers an artefact in the fast-developing urban landscape. Well-designed towers came up as public clocks in many parts of India and their chiming bells helped thousands in managing their day.

One such clock tower was built in Ludhiana during the British rule, which was once the tallest building in the city. Its construction started in 1862 and it took 44 years to complete. It has 10 floors and is 30 m high. The tower was built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s silver jubilee and to highlight British rule in India. Designed in the traditional European Gothic style by the then municipal chief engineer of Amritsar, John Gordon, it was constructed with red bricks. During the British rule, the original watch had to be manually wound. It used to tick after every hour and an individual was employed to do just this. But now the manual clock has been replaced with an electronic watch.

Beautified under Smart City Mission

In 2020, a project was taken up by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation under the smart city mission to touch up the tower’s facade, repair its mechanical clock and light it up. Now, in the evening the tower lights up beautifully with colourful LED lights. The sight is truly one to behold, but in the bustling streets of the industrial city residents often do not care to pause and glance at the historical tower.