A document from 1938 found on Delhi Archives suggests Lala Ram Roop proposing the tower at the crossing of Grand Trunk road, a highway and Roshanara road to divert the heavy flow of traffic, which was approved from the Head Clerk of the Municipal Office Delhi, stating the tower and roundabout would not cause any interference with the traffic movement. Hence, a tower of 50ft. height, the clock dial of 3ft. diameter at 40ft. height and the tower base of 12 Sq.ft. was proposed. The Clock Tower is thus the property of the Municipal Committee and was inaugurated in 1941 by Her Excellency Marchioness Linlinthgow. DS Sethi & co. served as contractors while SL Gupta was the supervising engineer for the project. 

The tower features a stepped roof and recessed profile while emanating firm influences in its facade of Classical and Egyptian styles within some of its Art Deco features, specially jaalis which repeat on all sides. With mills like Jaipuria, Birla and Ganpati surrounding the neighbourhood, and tramway routes  - a few trolley poles can still be seen around, this clock tower marks itself as a lynchpin in the history of Delhi’s industrialisation. Lala Ram Roop’s family still stays at Gali Ram Roop, Punjabi Basti and possesses a Dharamshala, a Mandir and three schools — Lilawati Vidya Mandir, RB Ram Roop Vidya Mandir and a Playway. Though the tower, which was once visible from their residence, hides behind the growing construction in the vicinity, their family pays attention to needs of renovation and repairs to the tower, a symbol of prestige and a contribution of their family to the society.

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Image Copyrights : Rishi Kochhar x Deco In Delhi
Acknowledgements : Ram Roop Gupta's Family, Old Sabzi Mandi, Delhi; Residents of Harphool Singh Building
References : Online - Lilawati Vidyalaya's History; Delhi Archives - Documents on Ram Rup Tower