The Clock Tower of Ballari has been at the center of a longstanding dispute. The vision of replacing the existing tower with the tallest clock tower in the state has sparked hidden conflicts between leaders from opposing political factions, resulting in veiled fistfights.
Following the model of Lebanon’s tower, Sriramulu, a former minister, spearheaded the ambitious project in Ballari. The BJP aimed to construct a 140-foot, 10-storey tower with a viewpoint on the 7th floor, featuring a clock on the 8th floor. However, the rushed commencement of construction, driven by the looming 2023 election code of conduct, has led to complications. The Public Works Department proposed halting the tower’s height at 117 feet instead of the planned 140 feet, citing maintenance challenges if a Lebanon model tower is erected in Royal Circle.
Despite the proposal, Sriramulu staunchly opposed the reduction in height, urging that the project should be completed despite the political animosity. The Bellary Clock Tower has a rich history, with a previous tower dedicated to freedom fighter Gadigi Chennappa. However, during Janardhana Reddy’s tenure in 2009, the promise to build a new tower resulted in the abrupt demolition of the existing one overnight. In 2013, a 40-foot clock tower was erected during the Siddaramaiah government, only to face a similar fate in 2022 when Sriramulu was the minister in charge.
On August 15, 2022, a new initiative to construct a 140-foot tower in the Lebanon model was launched, costing 7 crores. Regrettably, the project currently stands at a standstill. Amid the political bickering of national parties, the public has fervently demanded the completion of the half-standing tower. Minister Nagendra, the person in charge of Bellary, asserts a commitment to finishing the project, standing out as a figure dedicated to development without engaging in political maneuvers.
