Mysuru: Mysuru city’s 140-year-old clock at the Dufferin Clock Tower, popularly known as ‘Chikka Gadiyara,’ is likely to come back to life soon.

Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner M.K. Savitha has held discussions with clock expert Sheikh Mehmood of Shaik’s Vintage Times, Bengaluru and directed him to submit an estimate of the repair costs.

For the past three days, Sheikh Mehmood has been examining the clock’s internal mechanism and identifying the parts that require repairs. Commissioner Savitha met him at Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW) yesterday to assess the condition of the clock and the likely cost of restoration.

MP, Minister’s initiative

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has taken the initiative to preserve the heritage timekeeper.

He had written to Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, who subsequently directed HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools) to look into the matter.

Following this, HMT deputed Sheikh Mehmood to Mysuru. He arrived about six weeks ago and has been staying in the city, closely examining the clock and its components.

Acting on the MP’s advice, Mehmood has already gathered preliminary information. Once he submits the detailed cost estimate, MCC will enter into an agreement with HMT for the restoration under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support, Commissioner Savitha told Star of Mysore.

She added that once restored, the clock would need to be wound every five days to ensure uninterrupted functioning. A person would have to be appointed specifically for the task.

All aspects of the restoration, including the maintenance arrangements, will be discussed with the clock expert and HMT to ensure that the heritage timepiece is preserved and continues to function smoothly, she added.