LDA blocks roads for CM146;s project

The Lucknow Development Authority has gone ahead with the closure of the two roads adjacent to Chief Minister Mayawati8217;s pet project Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal in Gomti Nagar.

The Lucknow Development Authority LDA has gone ahead with the closure of the two roads adjacent to Chief Minister Mayawati8217;s pet project Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal in Gomti Nagar. Construction of walls to block these roads is in full swing.

One of the roads that is being closed lies between Ambedkar Memorial and Chattrapati Shahuji Maharaj Research and Training Centre Bhagidari Bhawan and was the road leading to Sahara Shahar and Vipul Khand locality of Gomti Nagar. After Mayawati came to power last year, the LDA had closed this road but it had to soon open it after protests from locals.

The other road that has been blocked also lies adjacent to the memorial and connects Srijan Vihar colony with Samtamulak Chauraha, earlier known as Uptron crossing. This road led to the Irrigation department8217;s pumping station located near Sahara Shahar.

In September, the LDA had started the groundwork for the closure of these two roads. In a board meeting on September 6, it was decided to change the land use of these roads from transport to public utilities.

8220;Construction of walls for closing the roads was started three days ago. The wall on the road towards Sahara Shahar would be of 12 feet height, while the one on the other road would be taller. To close the road approaching towards the Pump House office, foundation of a giant wall is being constructed,8221; said a contractor of UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam working at the site. He said that all the walls would be made of Mirjapuri stones.

These roads are being closed even when a petition filed by the Gomti Nagar Jankalyan Mahasamiti is pending in the Allahabad High Court. Its counsel BK Singh said, 8220;In the previous hearing of the PIL, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court had directed the LDA to reconsider its decision of closing the roads. The matter is sub judice and the next hearing is scheduled for January 5.8221;

LDA Vice-Chairman Mukesh Kumar Meshram and Joint Director Land Acquisition and Development S B Mishra were unavailable for comment, while LDA Secretary Mani Prasad Mishra said he had no information about the closure of the roads.

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The Bhagidari Bhawan, built in 1997 and inaugurated by Mayawati in the presence of the then BSP president Kanshiram, is also being revamped. The boundary wall has been demolished and a new wall of Mirjapuri stones is being built in its place. A huge gate is also being constructed between Ambedkar Memorial and Bhagidari Bhawan. The LDA has also started razing the railings of Gandhi Setu. The concrete railings would be replaced by sand stones grills, like the ones used in the walls of the memorial.