MYSORE: A team of experts from the Mysore Agenda Task Force inspected the monumental clock tower opposite the Mysore Palace on Sunday and recommended the resumption of its chime, which has fallen silent for the past five years.

S.G. Vombatkere, convener of the task force's Heritage Sub-Committee, told The Hindu that there is no threat to the 92 ft-tall heritage monument if the chimes are restored.

The chimes of the clock fell silent five years ago reportedly to prevent any damage to the heritage structure, which had started showing up cracks.

But Mr. Vombatkere, who is also a member of the State Government-constituted Heritage Task Force, opined that the 78-year-old structure built in 1927 by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar is strong enough to bear the weight of the French-made bell, which is around 920 kg.

Columns strong

The columns supporting the structure, which is called the Silver Jubilee Clock Tower or Big Clock Tower, are strong. The cracks have appeared only on additional structures, built for architectural purposes, and have no bearing on the columns shouldering the weight of the tower.

Mr. Vombatkere said a study has been conducted on the clock tower by the Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, SJCE, Shakeeb Ur Rahman.

The report suggests that the volume of the bell is not the reason for the cracks. Mr. Vombatkere, who holds a doctorate in structural engineering, endorsed Mr. Rahman's opinion and favoured resumption of the chimes.

M. Lakshmana, convener of the task force's Subcommittee on Water Supply, said a report on the expert team's visit will be submitted to the Commissioner of the Mysore City Corporation shortly. "The report will recommend the early resumption of chimes," he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vombatkere said the other recommendations on the clock tower include proper electrical wiring in the structure and fire-resistant treatment to wooden floors in the tower.

Mr. Lakshmana said a horologist Chandrashekar Iyer, who was part of the expert team, went up the tower and activated the bell. "We held the columns to feel the vibrations. The chimes do not create any vibrations in the columns supporting the structure," he said.

Mr. Lakshmana said the cracks on the ceiling of the dome or canopy of the tower are on account of "ageing." "The bell is supported by iron rods and has no bearing on the dome as well," he clarified.

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