‘Commercial units in housing colonies a nuisance’

LUCK NOW: Commercial establishments operating from residential places are not only causing revenue loss to the state government, but also proving to be a nuisance for residents.

Sarvesh Asthana, noted poet and social activist, raised this issue before the mayor.

A resident of Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, Asthana pointed out that hotel-cum-bars are being operated from houses in his colony.

“It is an unwarranted situation. Anybody could imagine what will happen when a hotelcum-bar starts operating in a residential colony. From law and order to parking of vehicles, residents have to go through multiple problems,” said Asthana.

The situation becomes more troublesome for women due to the bars, he added.

Asthana also suggested certain measures to keep the city beautiful.

Recently, many parts of Lucknow were decked up for the UP Investors’ Summit. Even street poles were decorated with fancy lights. However after the summit, most of these lights are not functioning.

“Lucknow is a beautiful city. But it should also look good. Lights installed on roadside poles during the investors’ summit must be restored,” Asthana said.

He also suggested proper illumination of historical monuments in Old City areas and those constructed during BSP regime in UP.

“Monuments constructed during the BSP regime should also be decked up with colourful lights to present a positive image of the city before tourists,” he added.

To keep the city clean, Asthana suggested that all open garbage dump yards be closed across the city. The mayor assured closure of all such garbage dumping grounds.

Nirmal Singh, president of Alambagh Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee, raised the issue of rampant digging of roads for laying underground cables in Alambagh.

The Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (Lesa) is laying underground power cables in Alambagh and digging of roads is an essential part of this project.

However, after the completion of job, roads are not being repaired properly, he said.

“There have been incidents where four-wheelers have got stuck in caved-in roads. We want proper repair of roads as it is not only causing trouble for commuters but also hampering business activity,” said Singh.

He also suggested proper coordination between the civic bodies and LESA vis-à-vis digging of roads. “This will ensure that roads are not dug up unnecessarily and are also repaired after completion of work,” added Singh.

Riddhi Kishore Gaur, president of Shubh Sanskar Samiti, an NGO that conducts ‘Gomti arti’ at Kudiya Ghat, raised the issue of poor condition of Gulala Ghat, a cremation ground, in Chowk area.

“Due to apathy, the condition of Gulala Ghat in Old City has gone from bad to worse,” said Gaur. The mayor assured a revamp of this cremation ground.