Wadia Clock Tower to be restored

Bomanjee Hormusjee Clock Tower was built in 1882

Heritage lovers in the city are in for a treat. The Kala Ghoda Association (KGA) is all set to restore the Bomanjee Hormusjee Wadia Clock Tower at Fort starting Wednesday.

The restoration of the clock, located at the junction of the Bazaar Gate Road and Nariman Perin Street at Fort, is estimated to cost Rs65 lakh.

The Wadia Clock Tower, built in 1882 to honour former sheriff and philanthropist Bomanjee Hormusjee Wadia, is a Grade 3 heritage structure with a magnificent façade that is now crumbling. “The structure is in a precarious condition and can collapse at any moment. By restoring it, we are aiming to make it one of the city’s attractions,” said Maneck Davar, KGA chairman.

Davar also said the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The restoration will look at dismantling basalt stones that will be numbered and reused to retain the heritage structure’s glory. Conservation architect Vikas Dilawari, who has undertaken the project, said their first aim is to make the structure “water-tight and strong” so it can withstand the coming monsoon.

“The top of the structure has developed cracks. The wooden joints inside the structure have started decaying. As the building is structurally weak, our first priority is to make it strong to withstand the monsoon,” Dilawari said.

Apart from this project, the association has undertaken various other restoration projects, including restoring the drinking water fountains at Fort. The KGA, was founded primarily to maintain and upkeep various services in the Kala Ghoda precinct. The area sees an elaborate, vibrant festival — Hindustan Times Kala Ghoda Festival — every year.