“BIG BEN” of HOWRAH STATION
Undoubtedly, the most celebrated landmark in the Howrah Station complex is the “BARO GHORI”, fondly known to the daily railway commuters as the “Big Ben” of Howrah. For more than ninety years now, this clock has watched over the faces of millions of travellers, some weary, some expectant, others beginning journeys which have changed destinies. Below it, so many friendships have been made, while others have longingly waited for their loved ones under its endearing gaze! Yet how many have paused to know about its story?
This icon, situated on the eastern wall of the historic century-old station building, overlooks the Martyrs’ Memorial dedicated to the Railwaymen who sacrificed their lives during World War I. While so many Railway workers of Howrah station have come and gone, “Baro Ghori” continues to mark time without a break, relentlessly since it was installed in 1926!
This twin-faced clock with each of its dials measuring 45 inches in diameter has 18-inch long hour hands. The minute hands are 2 feet long. While one of the dials face Platforms 1 to 8, the other faces Platforms 9 to 14, ensuring visibility all across the old station complex.
Manufactured by Gents of UK 92 years back, this legendary clock runs so accurately even today, that over 9 lakh passengers and almost 600 trains using Howrah Station daily, run to its time.
Once upon a time, this electro-mechanical clock’s “pulsar device” boasted of a remote-control mechanism, which enabled it to be adjusted from the train control office. However, now this is placed within the clock itself. Of course, the credit of maintaining the so-called “oldest working Railwayman” of Howrah Station for so long definitely goes to the Railway technicians, who look after their “Baro Ghori” with passionate care.
I dare say that the clock has several cousins amongst those preserved at various British Railway stations even today. Yet none can match the affection which rests in the hearts of millions of Railway passengers who pass under it at Howrah.
From its high pedestal, this patriarch of Railway clocks has been a sombre witness to epoch-making events such as World War II, India’s freedom struggle and the Nation’s independence. It was born when the Steam Engine was the King of the Railways. We hope that it will still be proudly ticking away when the first metro and the first bullet train begin their runs from Howrah Station in the near future!
Text and photograph by Sanjoy Mookerjee