Park Road in Hazratganj Plagued by Drainage and Construction Woes
Residents and commuters along the bustling Park Road stretch in Hazratganj, Lucknow, are grappling with significant disruptions caused by choked drains and scattered construction debris. This situation has emerged amid ongoing construction activities under the Chief Minister's Grid Road scheme, which has reportedly damaged sections of the existing drainage network.
Waterlogging and Traffic Snarls Disrupt Daily Commute
Blocked drains and construction materials have led to water accumulation on multiple patches of the road, even after light rainfall or routine wastewater discharge. Commuters report that this results in painfully slow traffic movement, especially during peak hours, as portions of the carriageway remain dug up and uneven.
Deepak Dixit, a local resident, expressed his frustration, stating, "Park Road is in a pathetic state—choked sewers, overflowing dirty water, and traffic jams. Half-built footpaths are now occupied by stalls and two-wheelers, further narrowing the road and worsening congestion. Are these footpaths for pedestrians or encroachment? I complained to the Chief Engineer of LMC, but no action has been taken."
Safety and Hygiene Concerns Escalate
Local traders and office-goers have highlighted additional issues, including the absence of proper barricading and poor site management. They note that construction material left on footpaths forces pedestrians to walk on the road, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
Ashish Mishra, a shop owner near Civil Hospital, raised concerns about unhygienic conditions, saying, "Waterlogging is causing inconvenience, and the situation is leading to an increase in mosquitoes."
Swati Verma, a corporate employee who uses the stretch daily, emphasized the plight of pedestrians, adding, "Construction material is scattered across the footpath, and overflowing drains make it difficult to even walk along the stretch."
Official Response and Remedial Measures
Officials associated with the project clarified that the work is part of a broader plan to strengthen road infrastructure, with drainage repairs scheduled alongside the construction. Additional Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Srivastava confirmed that action has been initiated following complaints.
He stated, "The agency responsible for the work was directed to clear the drains and remove debris from the footpath. If the work is not completed within two days, a penalty will be imposed."
The ongoing construction under the CM Grid Road scheme aims to enhance Lucknow's urban infrastructure, but the immediate fallout on Park Road underscores the need for better coordination and timely mitigation of public inconveniences.
