Secunderabad Clock Tower Restored to Former Glory
The GHMC recently completed comprehensive restoration and beautification works at the site, aiming to preserve the monument’s architectural integrity while enhancing its public appeal
Hyderabad: The iconic Secunderabad Clock Tower, a 120-foot colonial-era landmark built in 1896, has been restored by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) as part of its ongoing heritage conservation efforts. The GHMC recently completed comprehensive restoration and beautification works at the site, aiming to preserve the monument’s architectural integrity while enhancing its public appeal.
Originally constructed in the 1860s by the British as a memorial to officers stationed in the Secunderabad Cantonment, the tower stands at the centre of a 2.5-acre park on Sardar Patel Road in the heart of Secunderabad. Recognised as a heritage structure by the Government of Telangana, the tower remains a prominent symbol of the city’s colonial past.
The restoration, undertaken by GHMC’s Urban biodiversity and heritage wings, involved cleaning the stone façade, structural strengthening and the repair and recalibration of the four-faced mechanical clock. Landscaped gardens were also developed around the monument, with efforts made to preserve the tower’s original architectural elements.
Damaged portions were restored using traditional lime plaster and stonework techniques, while the clock mechanism was carefully serviced by heritage engineers. Solar batteries have been installed at the Clock Tower to power the clock mechanism and lighting. The solar panels installed nearby charge the batteries during the day. These batteries store the energy and keep the clock running through the night, making the tower both sustainable.
In addition to structural repairs, the GHMC installed LED lighting to illuminate the monument at night, added benches, laid walking paths and set up informative signage detailing the tower’s history. CCTV cameras have also been installed to enhance security in the park.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a GHMC official said, “The Secunderabad Clock Tower is part of our shared history. This restoration reflects our commitment to preserving Hyderabad’s architectural and cultural heritage.” S. Sainath, a resident of Marredpally, said, “There was a time when people relied on clock towers to check the time, but with the advent of wristwatches and now mobile phones, that’s no longer the case. Even so, the Secunderabad Clock Tower is as symbolic to this city as the Charminar is to Hyderabad.”
The project is part of GHMC’s wider initiative to conserve heritage structures across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, which includes sites such as Mozamjahi Market, Mahboob Chowk Clock Tower and the Bansilalpet stepwell. “The Secunderabad Clock Tower now stands not only as a marker of time but as a proud symbol of restored history and civic pride for future generations,” the GHMC official said.