Sahara146;s Neverland

The midnight knock on the doors of the Sahara Shahar on Wednesday was just the latest chapter in the saga of a township that began 15 years ago...

The midnight knock on the doors of the Sahara Shahar on Wednesday was just the latest chapter in the saga of a township that began 15 years ago to provide houses to the economically weak 8220;on a major portion8221; and now is perhaps the only VVIP area of its kind in the country.

Spread over 270 acres on prime Lucknow land, the privately developed Sahara Shahar strictly caters to the high and mighty, from the worlds of politics and sports to Bollywood and glamour.

Sahara took 170 acres land on lease from the Lucknow Municipal Corporation and 100 acres from the Lucknow Development Authority in 1994-95 to build the township. As per the lease conditions, it was to earmark a major portion for the economically weak.

An LDA release today also pointed out that 140 acres of land was to be reserved for green belt, with commercial and residential use permitted only on 130 acres.

When all that went flying out the window during the massive construction is not known. What stands in place is a super-deluxe township, with apartments, a cricket ground with flood-lights facility, two swimming pools 8212; one for VIP guests and the other for the rest 8212; a restaurant called the Jal Mahal ensconced in the middle of a man-made lake, a cinema hall, a bazaar, and the centre of attraction: 8216;Sahara Shri8217; Subroto Roy8217;s palatial home, also housing his two sons and their families. The township also holds Roy8217;s 8216;Secretariat8217;.

There are guest-houses for VVIPs, cottages and a SAMA Sahara India Management Academy guest house. Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh used to stay at the guest house when in Lucknow during the days of the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government in UP.

Given its profile, visitors can8217;t just drive into the Shahar. Anyone coming for a visit has to leave his/her vehicle at the gate, a photo pass is issued and a fleet of Maruti Esteems swishes up to ferry them where they want to go. Also, one can go only to the place mentioned in the entry pass. The general idea is that except guests of the company and Sahara Shri, visitors are not welcome.

Story continues below this ad

Of guests there have been many: from Shah Rukh Khan entertaining Indian and Pakistani cricket stars in November 2007 to the galaxy of VIPs and stars that descended for the week-long gala wedding of Roy8217;s two sons in February 2003. Among those who came were then Deputy PM L K Advani and then Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. The bill, according to some reports, ran up to Rs 250 crore.

However, 8220;commoners8221; can get lucky: on recommendation of senior officials of the Sahara India Pariwar, they can avail of a conducted tour of the Sahara Shahar in an open top bus.