The clock tower project initiated during the tenure of former minister B Sriramulu has been halted. The work was discontinued midway due to concerns over unscientific practices and irregularities observed in the tender process.
The construction of a foreign-style clock tower, which had received a significant grant of crores of rupees for its 100-feet high structure, has encountered a sudden halt. Despite previously being carried out with great momentum, the work on the clock tower has come to a standstill since the new government’s arrival.
The reason behind the obstruction of this unique clock tower’s construction has become a subject of interest. The partially suspended clock tower near Banangal in Ballari City Municipal Corporation remains unfinished, leaving behind a half-built structure that was intended to showcase a foreign model clock tower worth Rs 7 crore.
Gadagi Chennappa Circle, famously referred to as the Royal Circle, holds a rich historical legacy in Bellary. Established back in 1964, this iconic landmark has witnessed numerous significant events and struggles. However, in 2008, the clock tower at Gadagi Chennappa Circle fell victim to vandalism by miscreants. Subsequently, during the tenure of the Siddaramaiah government, efforts were made to reconstruct and restore the clock tower, ensuring its historical significance remained intact.
After the Siddaramaiah government, the BJP government came into power and decided to construct a foreign-style clock tower at Royal Circle in the heart of the city. The project involved the construction of a Lebanese-style clock tower, with an estimated cost of 7 crore rupees. Progress on the construction was swift until a problem arose during the work. The Congress government, led by the new administration, decided to halt the construction of the clock tower, which was previously initiated with the interest of former minister B Sriramulu. The suspension of the clock tower work was based on allegations of unscientific practices and irregularities in the tender process, leading to the suspension of grant releases for the project.
During the BJP government, the former Transport Minister and Ballari in-charge, B. Sriramulu, showed significant interest in the construction of a 120 feet high clock tower at a cost of 7 crores in Ballari district. However, the new Congress government, citing financial constraints, has halted the ongoing construction of the clock tower.
This decision has sparked outrage among BJP leaders, who accuse the Congress government of engaging in retaliatory politics. The BJP leaders are demanding the immediate resumption of the clock tower’s construction, emphasizing that the previous government had thoroughly assessed the project and carried out necessary road widening measures before initiating the clock tower’s construction.
The Congress government’s decision to halt the construction of the clock tower, previously initiated by Minister Sriramulu during the BJP government, has ignited anger among BJP leaders. Congress leaders argue that the clock tower construction is being carried out without widening the road.
As the construction of the clock tower in Gadagi Chennappa circle becomes a battleground between Congress and BJP, the common people of Bellary are grappling with traffic issues in the Royal circle. The citizens of Bellary are hopeful that the government will take appropriate action concerning the clock tower project and address the traffic congestion problem.