Stage set for UP Diwas, Mahotsav inauguration
LUCKNOW: The state is all set for the inauguration of two mega events on Wednesday -- city’s celebrated annual festival Lucknow Mahotsav and the first-ever edition of UP Diwas. The twin extravaganzas will be inaugurated at the hands of vice-president of India Venkaiah Naidu who will also be the chief guest on the occasion.
The vice-president is expected to land at around 10:20am at Lucknow Airport from where he will travel to the venue — Awadh Shilpgram.
On Tuesday, the district administration was seen busy making elaborate security arrangements at the venue. Traffic diversions were also implemented to ensure smooth vehicular movement during the festivals.
While UP Diwas will be a threeday event, Mahotsav will go on for another 7-8 days. On the first three days, UP Diwas celebrations will be held during the day and Mahotsav programmes will be organised in the evening. After that, administrative officials said, Mahotsav events will be organised all through the day and evening.
On the first three days, January 24 to 26, there will be no entry charges for the visitors, said administrative officials. Later, visitors will be charged Rs 10 per person. The prime attractions will include the auto expo zone, around 330 commercial stalls, 450 handicraft stalls, 71 pavilions, 20 kiosks and 45 food stalls.
To facilitate smooth parking, the administration has provided for a mobile phone application. This app can be downloaded free of charge from the Lucknow Mahotsav website. It will show
parking positions to the visitors, said officials.
In addition, the administration is also planning to make transport services available to the visitors. Around 50 special auto-rickshaws and 100 roadways buses -all bearing Mahotsav branding -have been allocated to transport visitors to and from the venue.