Ready to discover a Kolkata landmark that echoes London’s charm? This is the Lake Town Clock Tower. Some call it “The Big Ben of Kolkata”. It stands tall at the juncture between Lake Town and VIP Road.
The Lake Town Clock Tower is a much-talked-about structure. It is considered a replica of London’s Westminster clock tower. The tower has four giant clocks facing the cardinal directions.
Imagine the clock faces each twelve feet in diameter. The tower rises 135 feet. It is a striking presence.
The local municipal body built this Kolkata Time Zone. It cost about Rs 1.36 crores. That is quite an investment for this beautiful landmark.
The Lake Town Clock Tower was completed in October 2015. Mamata Banerjee conceived the project. She was the Chief Minister of West Bengal. Her intention was to incorporate London’s architecture into Kolkata.
There was some local opposition to the tower. People questioned the cost. Some felt it was culturally inappropriate.
The Lake Town Clock Tower has ten floors. You can take an encircling tour on the walkway around the structure. The tower stands one-third the size of the original Big Ben. The Big Ben is 96 meters in height. This tower is 30 meters.
The Anglo Swiss Company sponsored the clock faces. Each face measures 3.6 meters in diameter. The original Big Ben’s clock faces are 7 meters.
Lake Town itself is a planned residential colony. It is located in Northern Kolkata along VIP Road. The area offers mid-segment housing. Here you find a mix of independent houses and multi-story buildings.
Lake Town boasts good connectivity to the city’s commercial hubs. This connectivity comes via bus and rail. It also has well-developed social infrastructure. These aspects make Lake Town a sought-after locality.
As you stand here at the Lake Town Clock Tower, consider its role. It’s a landmark. The tower is also a symbol. It embodies a blend of cultures. It brings a touch of London to Kolkata. Take a moment to appreciate this unique structure. It is a testament to architectural ambition. It’s a reminder that even across continents, inspiration can strike.