The historic clock tower at Kolkata's iconic New Market has been successfully restored, with work finishing three days before the Christmas Day deadline set by civic authorities. This privately funded project brings one of the city's most recognizable landmarks back to its former glory.
A Meticulous Restoration Process
The restoration was anchored by father-son duo Anjan and Saptarshi Mitra from the firm Appropriate Alternative. They reported a thorough cleaning of the entire structure. The team removed debonded elements, cleared away vegetation and fungus, and carried out extensive de-rusting of the structural components.
"We undertook strengthening of the structurals and crack repair," said Anjan Mitra. "The ornamental elements were restored, and the wooden teak floor was relaid inside the tower." The project also included facade treatment, plastering of interior and exterior surfaces, and restoration of damaged woodworks, followed by a fresh coat of paint on all internal and external areas.
Currently, the team is installing green glass in the steeple's louvre to allow natural light into the tower. Once this is done, the external illumination will be redone and the scaffolding will finally come down. "The only job that will be left is the restoration of the clock and chime mechanism," Anjan added.
Reviving a Historic Timepiece
The crucial task of repairing the clock itself is in the hands of another father-son team, Swapan and Satyajit Dutta. They have begun work on the four-faced Gillett & Johnston clock, famous for its Westminster chimes. The clock, which last functioned seven years ago, is expected to start ticking again by February.
"We transported the clock mechanism to our factory near Calcutta Medical College Hospital for a complete overhaul," explained Swapan Dutta. "Some parts that wore out need to be remade. Others need to be refurbished." The mechanism is controlled by three weights for time, quarterly chime, and hourly gong, requiring winding every three days. The clock tower houses five bells.
A Rare Piece of Horological History
The New Market tower clock holds a special place in India's heritage. It is one of only four clocks supplied to India by Gillett & Johnston, a renowned English clockmaker and bell foundry. The second clock is located at the Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology in Shibpur. The other two are at the Lower Parel railway workshop in Mumbai and the Chennai Municipal Corporation.
The restoration project was undertaken by Kolkata Restorers and funded by Techno Electric and Engineering Co Ltd. Work commenced on July 24, 2025. Mudar Patherya, representing Kolkata Restorers, highlighted the human effort involved, stating, "Apart from the material costs, what really went into the project was 2,700 person-days."
The completion of the structural restoration ahead of schedule marks a significant milestone in preserving Kolkata's architectural heritage, with the city eagerly awaiting the return of the clock's familiar chime.
