The chime from this clock used to wake up people from their slumber for a century. The uniqueness of the clock - it showcases time in four languages English, Hindi, Roman and Telugu.
However, now the chime is a thing of the past. Neither does the clock generate any ring nor are all the four clocks visible at the Raja Rai Rayan Devdi Gadiyal at Shahalibanda. The magnificent edifice which formed part of a marvellous royal residence of Raja Rai Rayan, a noble during the Nizam period, is on the verge of collapsing.
Damage
Cracks have developed on the tower after a large banyan tree protruded out from the tower. It also covers the edifice from the public view.
“Authorities are least bothered about taking up repair works because it is not listed as a heritage monument. Neither are the residents interested as they do not want to frequently invest money for its repairs,” says Shyam Kumar, a local businessman. On a couple of occasions, the locals took the initiative and got the clock repaired.
“Leave alone repairing and maintaining the clock, the authorities have not even bothered to hire workers to clear the wild vegetation,” a local shop owner laments. “In fact, in 2008, a team from the heritage cell of the HMDA inspected the monument after public representation but did not declare it a heritage monument,” points out a heritage activist, seeking to remain anonymous.
