Kota’s 79-Ton Giant Bell Remains Stuck in Mold for Two Years, Minister Calls It a ‘Ruin’

Kota, Rajasthan: The 79-ton bell at Chambal River Front, designed to be India’s largest single-piece casting bell, has remained trapped in its mold for two years, sparking renewed political and administrative debate. Despite being cast from 13 different metals and completed in size over two years ago, the bell has yet to be removed from its mold.

Minister Labels the Bell a ‘Ruin’
During a visit to the Chambal River Front, UDH Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra described the bell as a structure that may remain a “ruin” due to the lack of available technical experts to remove it. The minister also referred to the River Front project as a “white elephant”, citing monthly maintenance costs of approximately ₹1.5 crore and the search for new revenue sources.

Engineers’ Vision: ‘Om’ Resonance
Engineers involved in the project claim the bell, measuring 8.5 meters in diameter and 9.25 meters in height, would produce a resonant ‘Om’ sound audible up to eight kilometers. It is considered one of the strongest bells in the world. Casting the molten metal into the mold on August 17, 2023, took roughly 60 minutes and was regarded as the most challenging stage of the project.

Fatal Accident Halts Process
In 2023, a major accident occurred during the attempt to remove the bell, resulting in the deaths of casting engineer Devendra Arya and a laborer. Since then, the bell has remained stuck, and removal efforts have been suspended.

Massive Resources and Expenditure
The project involved over 200 experts and approximately 1,000 workers across various stages. To date, around ₹19 crore has been spent. While engineers claim that the single-piece casting ensures the bell could last thousands of years, it currently remains trapped in its mold, awaiting the specialized expertise required for its installation.