“Time running out for this clock tower,” they say. The Pattalam Clock Tower stands before us, a monument to labor history and a testament to Chennai’s past. Inaugurated on August 4, 1948, it was once the centerpiece of Selvapathi Chettiar Park.
Dr. U. Krishna Rao, the then Mayor of Madras, presided over the inauguration. The Corporation of Chennai owns the Pattalam Clock Tower. The park itself commemorated Selvapathi Chettiar, a founder of the Madras Labour Union. This was the first such body in India.
Binny Mills’ presence made this neighborhood a labor hotspot. After Independence, the park became a venue for public meetings. Politicians would address workers, eager to win their votes.
Binny Mills declined in the 1980s. Much of its land was sold. In 2016, the park vanished to make way for road widening and a high rise. The Pattalam Clock Tower was spared demolition, almost miraculously.
But the Pattalam Clock Tower suffered neglect. This often precedes demolition in our city. The door stood open, granting access to the clock mechanism.
Built in memory of Selvapathy Chettiar and Ramanujalu Naidu, the Pattalam Clock Tower honors the founders of the Madras Labour Union in Binny Mills in 1918. Annie Besant was also a part of this trade union. The park and the Pattalam Clock Tower were named after Selvapathy Chettiar in commemoration.
Gani & Sons, well-known clockmakers, set up the four-faced clock. It worked on a Master and Slave system. In 1965, a bell was attached to the clock. Locals say the caretaker rang it every hour.
Venkatapathy, a long-time resident, remembers the municipal band playing in the park. He says the park and clock were once in excellent condition. People relaxed and enjoyed the evenings here.
Tall buildings have risen. They eclipse the view of the dials on the Pattalam Clock Tower’s faces. The Chennai Corporation refurbished the Selvapathy Chetty Park in 2004. Gani & Sons reinstated the clock. They repaired the electrical and battery equipment.
Lack of maintenance has left the Pattalam Clock Tower in a dilapidated state. The dials are broken and the bell is rusted. Birds and squirrels now call the tower home. The park is maintained. The historic Pattalam Clock Tower remains under lock and key.
Two iconic clock towers of north Chennai have stopped ticking. The clock tower on Strahans Road near Pattalam has been defunct for a long time. It is in a state of neglect.
A shopkeeper near the Pattalam Clock Tower said the clock has been defunct for at least seven months. The clock tower at Mint was restored but stopped ticking a month ago.
The Pattalam Clock Tower is a piece of history. It should be maintained well. The Pattalam Clock Tower stands as a reminder of labor rights and the city’s commitment to its heritage.