Develop Gomti river into a major tourist spot, CS tells officials

LUCKNOW: Chief secretary Alok Ranjan directed civic and administration officials to develop and beautify city’s lifeline – Gomti river – into a major tourist spot and prevent encroachment and dumping of garbage on its banks.

Ranjan, who conducted an inspection of beautification and development works being carried out in the state capital, however, admitted that a phasewise approach was required as it was not possible to develop the entire city stretch of the river and its banks in one go. Nonetheless, the officials were told to gear up and move out into the field to ensure timelines set by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav for these projects. Two senior officers, principle secretaries of housing and industries and infrastructure development were given the marching orders in September by the CM for showing laxity in implementing the projects but later reinstated with a warning to mend their ways.

Reminding the officials of these deadlines, the CS said all beautification work was to be completed by December 15, 2014. Ranjan, who was accompanied by commissioner, Lucknow division Mahesh Gupta, secretary, urban development SP, the DM and LDA vice-chairman AP Tiwari was shocked to see the extent of unauthorised construction near Satkhanda pond, Hussainabad and land grabbing of Gomti banks in the name of religion. “How could you people allow such constructions and structures in the river bed and in narrow by-lanes inaccessible by fire-tenders in case of fire,” the CS asked the team accompanying him. Secretary urban development informed him that a former SDM had illegally allotted large parcels of Gomti bank land to people and societies during his tenure. Similarly, a ruling party legislator was said to be the patron of builders who had given shape to several group housing projects in the area.