The 15-feet-tall gigantic clock is the new attraction at the 46-year-old Anna Nagar Tower Park. In fact, the Tower Park is the second park in the area after Bogain Villa Park to have a clock on its premises. “The idea to have clocks inside the parks was part of the announcement made by the city mayor, Saidai Duraiswamy.
The clock would function between 5 a.m. and 8.30 p.m, when the park is open and it will be switched off to avoid the loud noise the bell is likely to make, which will disturb the neighbours,” said a Corporation official.
Modelled like the other clocks in the city including the ones at Royapettah, Pulianthope, Doveton and Mint, the clock tower at this park was built at a cost of Rs. 8,00,000 from the park maintenance funds of the civic body. The clock is kept at the higher pedestal, near the fountain to ensure that the visitors can view it from a distance. However, unlike other clock towers, this clock has some special features. For instance, a few lines of Thirukural are played during the rush hour.
Soft music is played the rest of the day. The most interesting part of the new clock is that after every hour, it rings a bell. This allows the visitors, especially morning walkers, to judge when to stop their walking. “This concept is interesting as it helps us plan the time we spend at the park,” said K.Gopi, a resident of Anna Nagar.
