Historic Kolkata Clock Tower Loses Weights During Restoration
Kolkata: In a concerning development for heritage conservation, two cast iron weights, each weighing between 20 kg and 25 kg, have mysteriously disappeared from the iconic New Market clock tower. This incident occurred while the landmark structure was undergoing a meticulous restoration process. The theft echoes a similar pattern of pilferage recently observed in the city, where 228 shower heads went missing from the bathrooms of the Oberoi Grand Hotel during its ongoing renovation.
Critical Components of a Century-Old Mechanism
The restoration of the tower's exterior has been completed, but the comprehensive overhaul of the century-old clock mechanism is still in progress. The clock is anticipated to resume full-fledged operations by next week. The missing weights are integral components of the elaborate four-faced Gillett & Johnston Westminster clock system. This sophisticated mechanism not only regulates the time but also controls the hourly dongs and the quarterly chimes that mark every 15 minutes.
The absence of these specific weights can severely disrupt the clock's timing accuracy, potentially sending the chimes and dongs into disarray. Speaking exclusively, Satyajit Dutta, who is reviving the clock alongside his father Swapan Dutta, revealed that the two weights were discovered missing during a critical phase. The clock's intricate mechanism had been dismantled for extensive repairs and was being reassembled in the third week of January for the first trial run. A second trial was successfully conducted on Saturday.
"These weights are absolutely vital for the proper functioning of the clock. Since sourcing original cast iron weights is now impossible, we are resorting to fusing steel sheets to fabricate replacement weights," explained Satyajit Dutta. The clock's mechanism utilizes a total of 27 weights: eight for time regulation, approximately twelve for the quarterly chime, and seven for the hourly strike. The two stolen weights belong specifically to the hourly strike assembly.
Security Tightened and Future Concerns Raised
Conservation architect Anjan Mitra confirmed that upon discovering the theft, immediate security measures were implemented at the site. The doorway providing access to the tower has been securely padlocked. "This incident has deeply disturbed everyone involved in the project. We must ensure the absolute safety of the remaining clock mechanism to prevent any further pilferage of parts," Mitra stated emphatically.
The restored clock tower is scheduled to be formally handed over to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation's (KMC) market department. Mitra expressed significant anxiety regarding the future, urging the civic body to establish a clear Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the ongoing maintenance and management of both the tower and the clock.
"A clock of this historical antiquity demands regular and expert maintenance. Even the tower structure itself will require consistent care and timely repairs in the future. Otherwise, this entire conservation effort could ultimately go to waste," Mitra warned. He further highlighted an additional vulnerability, noting, "The terrace connected to the clock tower is in an extremely precarious condition and urgently requires repair. We will be submitting a formal proposal for its restoration in the near future."
