Chinnakada Clock Tower
Kollam Clock Tower | |
 Clock Tower in Chinnakada, Kollam city | |
 | |
| Location | Kollam |
|---|---|
| Type | Memorial |
| Material | Brick and White Cement |
| Opening date | 1944 |
| Dedicated to | K.G Parameswaran Pillai(Former Kollam Municipal Chairman) |
Chinnakada Clock Tower (Malayalam: ചിന്നക്കട ക്ലോക്ക്ടവര്) is known as the Landmark of Kollam city. It is situated at the city center - Chinnakada in the city, stands high in the heart of the city, close to the Kollam Junction railway station.[1] Being the first clock tower of the erstwhile Travancore state, it has now become a sort of non-official emblem of the entire city. It is the major landmark of Kollam city.[2]
History
The quadrangular clock tower in Chinnakada was built on 1944 by the natives as a tribute to Unichakam Veedu K G Parameshwaran Pillai, the former chairman of Kollam Municipality between 1932 & 1948. Construction of this clock tower was initiated on 1941 but completed after 3 years. Brick and White Cement. 4 clocks are there in the tower, facing four directions of the city, which were brought from Kolkata.[3][4]
Importance of Chinnakada & Clock Tower area
Chinnakkada is considered as the heart of the city of Kollam, in the state of Kerala, India. Chinnakada is one of the major junctions in the city where National Highways – NH 66 (Earlier NH 47) meets NH 744 (Earlier NH 208). Because of the presence of a huge traffic circle in the junction, it became as one of the busiest junctions in the city. To reduce the traffic congestion in Chinnakada, Kollam Municipal Corporation is now constructing a new underpass near to the clock tower.[5] the complex junction is the meeting point of roads from Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Sengottai, Ashramam, Kollam Beach & Kollam Port, Downtown Kollam and City bus stand.
The development of Chinnakada area including Clock Tower premises is the most important junction development project of Kollam City Corporation. The works have been initiated by the shifting of city bus stand to Andamukkam.[6] Previous LDF Government of Kerala had decided to develop as an international city with a Chandni Chowk-model commercial complex in Delhi, because of the proud historic importance and trade culture of Kollam city. The proposed complex was designed as a trade centre for products of the traditional industries in the district.[7]
See also
References
