‘Thandi sadak’ revival project put on back burner
LUCKNOW: After Old City beautification, another long pending project seems to have been put on the back burner -- revival of ‘thandi sadak’.
This UP State Archaeological Department’s (UPSAD) project, which was aimed at bolstering tourism in the state capital, no more exists on its priority list.
Officials with UPSAD said that while the project was still in the pipeline, it would be hard to say when it would take off.
On condition of anonymity, the officials added that political reasons were primarily responsible for the ‘step motherly treatment’ being meted to the project that was conceived during the Samajwadi Party government’s rule in the state.
“It’s a universal truth — what is one government’s priority is never on the priority list of the other government. It’s a matter of political will,” said a senior UPSAD official.
The former SP government had flagged off the project in 2014.
The then chief secretary, Alok Ranjan, has passed orders to not only revive ‘thandi sadak’ but also restore Chattar Manzil. It was said that ‘thandi sadak’ offers the best view of Chattar Manzil — a nawabi-era palace that served as the residence of the nawabs and their wives.
The road runs along the Gomti and separates the palace from the river.
City historians say the road got its unique name due to the “pleasant climate” that prevails on it due to its proximity to river Gomti.
“It used to be the most preferred hangout for the nawabs and their wives because of its pleasant, cool, climatic conditions,” said historian Yogesh Praveen who has penned several books on the state capital.
Praveen said the revival of ‘thandi sadak’ would surely be another attraction for tourists, who would be more than happy to taste another flavour of Lucknow’s rich history.
“This road was also extensively used by freedom fighters during the country’s first war of Independence. It is said the road suffered major damage during the siege,” he said.