The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has unveiled a significant plan to broaden the city's network of green corridors. This strategic move aims to provide seamless access to the upcoming Naimishnagar township on Sitapur Road, promising a faster and congestion-free commute for residents.
Project Details and Phased Expansion
The proposed extension will add approximately 7 kilometers to the existing corridor, stretching it from the current endpoint at IIM Road directly to the Naimishnagar scheme site. An LDA official confirmed that this new link will feature a 24-meter-wide, four-lane road connecting Naimishnagar to the Basant Kunj scheme on IIM Road.
This expansion is a critical part of a four-phase development plan for the entire green corridor. The first phase, from IIM Road to Pakka Pul, is already operational. Work on the second phase, from Pakka Pul to Samtamulak, is in its final stages. The upcoming phases, including the new stretch, are slated to begin shortly. Officials noted that the later phases are expected to progress faster as they traverse vacant land, unlike the initial phases that cut through the city.
Traffic Relief and Master Plan Integration
The primary goal of this extension is to decongest key northern arteries of Lucknow. The new route is designed to distribute vehicular flow more evenly, reducing the persistent burden on Sitapur Road, Bakshi-ka-Talab, and surrounding areas. Once complete, it will offer a direct and efficient link from central Lucknow to Naimishnagar, significantly slashing travel time.
The green corridor's alignment has now been formally incorporated into the Lucknow Master Plan 2031. This official update was essential because the previous plan only referenced an old proposed embankment along the Gomti river. With the riverbank's unclear boundaries causing delays for housing and commercial projects, the state government decided to treat the green corridor as the functional boundary of the Gomti. After a public objection process that received no dissent, the amendment was cleared and approved by Governor Anandiben Patel under Section 13(2) of the UP Town Planning and Development Act.
Land Acquisition and Broader Vision
To execute the new 7km stretch, the LDA has prepared a land acquisition proposal for plots in Thela, Saraura, Alinagar, and Saidpur villages, which lie along the planned route. This proposal will be presented to the LDA board in its forthcoming meeting. A dedicated budget of around Rs 200 crore has been allocated for the development works.
The Naimishnagar scheme is a component of the larger Naimisharanya Yojana, for which land acquisition is already progressing across 18 villages covering nearly 1,084 hectares. The green corridor itself is envisioned as more than just a road; it is planned as a continuous urban spine with dedicated space for tree cover, utility lines, cycling tracks, and potential future public transport services. With this expansion, the total length of the corridor along the Gomti will increase from 57 km to 64 km, marking a major step in Lucknow's urban infrastructure development.
