NDMC to build clock tower in Lutyens’ Delhi

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is set to construct a striking clock tower at the Talkatora roundabout in Lutyens’ Delhi, with completion targeted by December this year, officials confirmed on Sunday.

Vice-chairman of the NDMC, Kuljeet Singh Chahal, said the architectural project has received clearance from the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) and will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹1.3 crore.

“Many municipal bodies across India boast iconic clock towers. With this initiative, NDMC too will have a grand architectural landmark,” said Chahal.

Rising to a height of approximately 27 metres, the structure will house a two-metre diameter clock. Designed in an octagonal shape, the tower will be built using reinforced cement concrete (RCC) and clad with clay bricks to enhance its visual appeal. The surrounding space will feature granite flooring, steel railings, and marble detailing.

“Clock towers are more than just instruments of timekeeping. They symbolise a city’s identity, heritage, and architectural ethos. Historically, they played a central role in offering the public a sense of coordinated time,” Chahal said.

The tower is envisioned as a new cultural and visual landmark, positioned strategically at the transition point between NDMC’s jurisdiction and neighbouring Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) areas such as Rajendra Nagar and Karol Bagh.

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Equipped with internal stairs for maintenance access and railings for public safety, the base of the tower will be further accentuated with marble elements.

Chahal noted that the project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and supports the broader national effort to beautify cities while preserving and promoting India’s cultural legacy.

(With inputs from PTI)