When will Lucknow get a dharna sthal?

The district administration has started looking for a suitable site for demonstrations

LUCKNOW: A designated dharna sthal seems to be a distant dream for Lucknow, where demonstrations often create problems for commuters – the recent protest of shiksha mitras is a glaring example.

Demonstrations and the issue of dharna sthal are not new for the state capital. Senior administrative officials said originally the official dharna sthal used to be opposite the Vidhan Bhawan. But in November 2009, it was shifted to Jhulelal Park in front of Nadwa, after a massive demonstration in the city.

In January 2011, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) officially began the exercise to establish a dharna sthal. It also shortlisted a 25,000 sq m area (costing Rs 3 crore) on the banks of Gomti near Lucknow University. “The LDA’s move was initiated after para teachers vandalised structures set up in honour of unidentified martyrs, during a demonstration in September 2010,” said an official.

However, the dharna sthal was never established due to departmental hassles.

During the tenure of SP Government, the district administration again began the hunt for a suitable dharna sthal. Sources said the administration proposed two points – Laxman Mela ground (for a gathering of less than 1,000 people) and Ramabai ground (for over 1,000) -- as feasible points in the city.

But, the government declined the proposals for unknown reasons.

After the proposal was declined, district administration again proposed a new dharna sthal – Bansal ki Bagiya. The idea came after Congress workers staged a massive protest opposite Vidhan Bhawan, affecting traffic movement. The administration also gave Rs 2 crore to the LDA to ensure early development of the site and for the construction of rooms, shelter, toilets, connecting roads, potable water facility, public addressing system and other facilities at the site.

But here too, things didn’t materialise due to some legal issues.

Now, the district administration has again started looking for a suitable site for dharna sthal. The move comes in wake of the massive protest by shiksha mitras on August 21. “We are hunting for a suitable place for dharna sthal. Additional district magistrate (trans-Gomti) and sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) are on the job,” said Kaushal Raj Sharma, district magistrate, Lucknow.

The LDA’s move was initiated after para teachers vandalised structures set up in honour of unidentified martyrs, during a demonstration in September 2010 AN LDA OFFICIAL,