Bihar Sharif’s ₹40 Lakh Clock Tower Sparks Outrage; IAS Deepak Mishra Faces Social Media Trolling

A clock tower recently erected in Bihar Sharif under the Smart City project has become the center of public ire and mockery after reports emerged that the structure, costing ₹40 lakh, stopped working merely a day after going operational.

IAS officer Deepak Kumar Mishra, the Municipal Commissioner of Bihar Sharif, has been at the receiving end of severe social media trolling, as images and videos of the malfunctioning clock tower went viral on platform X (formerly Twitter). The time on the clock has reportedly been stuck at 4:20, sparking jokes, memes, and heated debates.

Clock Tower Controversy: What Went Wrong?

According to reports, the clock, which briefly functioned during a visit by dignitaries as part of the Pragati Yatra, stopped working after copper wires were allegedly stolen by unidentified individuals. The municipal authorities have since stated that the structure was never officially inaugurated and remains under construction.

“The clock tower has not yet been inaugurated. During the Pragati Yatra, it was made operational temporarily. Theft of wires caused it to go defunct, and reinstallation is pending,” Mishra clarified in a statement to The Indian Express.

Public Backlash and Allegations

What started as criticism over poor planning and execution quickly escalated into personal attacks on IAS Deepak Mishra. Social media users dug into his UPSC record and alleged that he had secured his position through the PwD reservation category, with many questioning the integrity of the selection process.

A post by user Anuradha Tiwari reignited the controversy, alleging that Mishra, ranked 511 in the UPSC exam, had availed of a reservation quota.

Netizens Unleash Sarcasm and Memes

The internet wasted no time in reacting:

• “Rs 40 Lakhs for a concrete pillar with a broken clock? Incredible engineering feat,” wrote one user.
• “Deepak Mishra has gifted Bihar Sharif a clock that’s always right twice a day,” quipped another.
• “Smart City, dumb planning,” remarked a third, sharing photos of the tower’s unfinished paintwork and crude design.

Odisha Clock Tower Comparisons

As the trolling gained momentum, netizens even began comparing the Bihar Sharif clock tower to better-executed towers in states like Odisha, where similar projects have reportedly cost less and delivered higher aesthetic and functional value.

While the controversy continues to trend online, citizens and civic groups are demanding greater accountability, transparency in Smart City spending, and faster rectification of the dysfunctional monument.