Heritage Clock Tower to make way for a broad road
The various heritage strictures in Belagavi (a very few left now) something which is closely associated with the identity of the city is on the verge of demolition as it will make a way for a broad road.
There is a British-era tower clock at Kalmath Road, the clock tower of the Pioneer Urban Cooperative Bank. The Kalmath road will be widened to 45 feet and this clock tower building also comes inbetween the 45 feet road, hence the authorities have instructed the bank to raze the part of the structure built in 1906.
The sound of the bell which is very familiar to the citizens nearby and to so many of them who have grown up looking at the clock tower for years now, even 3 generations have passed seeing the same tower and hear the bell ring every half an hour.
Many have an emotional attachment to this tower. It is (was) used as a major landmark to inform people. Belagavi also has another such clock tower on the General Native library in Ganpat Galli.
The main building built about 110 years ago, still stands tall amongst the lot. A large bell from John Tailor Company was fitted into the clock 75 years ago. In 1939 Mumbai’s Swadeshi Electric Clock Company was awarded the work to install this masterpiece.
There is one dedicated person who winds the clock once a week and maintains the tower and the timing.