Hours after a clock tower in Bihar drew controversy over claims that it stopped working shortly after being inaugurated, authorities clarified that the project is still under construction and dismissed reports suggesting it cost Rs 40 lakh. The clock tower is being built under the Smart City Project in Bihar Sharif.
The watch tower, which was reportedly made operational for CM Nitish Kumar’s Pragati Yatra, stopped working after thieves made off with its copper wiring. It also became the target of online mockery for its appearance, with many calling it “shabbily painted” and an “eyesore.”
Don’t fall for rumours: Bihar authorities
The authorities have urged people to stay away from “rumours”, clarifying that the clock tower is still under construction and that the project cost is Rs 20 lakh.
“Some media handles are spreading rumours that the clock tower in Bihar Sharif has been constructed at a cost of Rs 40 lakh. Please stay away from such rumours. All of you are informed that the design of this clock tower has not been finalised yet and its construction work has also not been completed,” Biharsharif Smart City Limited wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
कुछ मीडिया हैंडल द्वारा अफवाह फैलाया जा रहा है कि बिहारशरीफ में घंटाघर का निर्माण 40 लाख रुपये की लागत से किया गया है। कृपया ऐसी अफवाओं से दूर रहें।
— Biharsharif Smart City Limited (@BiharsharifL) April 6, 2025
आप सभी को सूचित किया जाता है कि अभी इस घंटाघर का डिज़ाइन फाइनल नहीं हुआ है और इसके निर्माण का कार्य भी पूर्ण नहीं हुआ है।
The authorities revealed that the tower stopped working because someone stole the cable of the newly constructed tower, adding that it will be inaugurated once the construction is complete.
“It is to inform you all that the cable of the newly constructed clock tower in Bihar Sharif has been stolen by some unknown people, which has to be restored again. This clock tower will be inaugurated only after it is completely constructed,” it further said.
आप सभी को यह भी सूचित करना है कि कुछ अज्ञात लोगों द्वारा बिहारशरीफ में नवनिर्मित घंटाघर का cable चोरी कर लिया गया है जिसे दोबारा पुनर्स्थापित किया जाना है। इस घंटाघर का पूर्ण रूप से निर्माण होने के बाद ही इसका उद्घाटन किया जाएगा।
— Biharsharif Smart City Limited (@BiharsharifL) April 6, 2025
Deepak Kumar Mishra, the Municipal Commissioner of Bihar Sharif, told The Indian Express that the “claim” is just a “rumour” and is “false”.
“The clock tower has not yet been inaugurated as the project is still underway. During the Pragati Yatra, the clock was briefly made operational, but a few days later, unknown individuals stole a cable, making it defunct. Reinstallation work needs to be done,” he said.
He stressed, “This isn’t the final design.”
“The project began three years ago with the clearing of encroachments. We initially planned to inaugurate it in March, but delays in removing the encroachments pushed the timeline to the end of May,” he further added.
Bihar clock tower: Social media reactions
While sharing pictures of the under-construction tower, an individual wrote, “This shabbily painted, poorly finished, concrete clock tower in Bihar Sharif, built under ‘Smart City’ project, had its clock stop working within 24 hours of inauguration.”
He added, “Guess the production cost? Only ₹40 lakh! Just 40 lakhs for this architectural marvel! Hats off!”
Another social media user said, “Clock tower without a clock, design without a file, and budget without clarity – Smart City, Dumb Execution.”
Some even dubbed the clock tower the “eighth wonder of the world”.
One social media user, unimpressed by the clock tower’s design, quipped that renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik could have “built a better one out of sand”.
“Bihar Clock Tower Budget Gone In A Day: Tax Money Wasted. If That’s Not Waste, What Is?” another X user said.
According to authorities, the clock tower, which is a part of the broader Nala road Project to connect Machli Mandi to Mughal Kuan, is in the final stages.