Chowk, Aminabad to become model markets
LUCKNOW: The state capital’s traditional markets, Chowk and Aminabad, will soon be given a makeover by the district administration and the nagar nigam.
Work on the massive facelift panned for these markets is expected to start from September.
The initiative is aimed at transforming these old markets into model markets and bringing them on the city’s tourism map, said officials of the district administration. The facelift is expected to free the markets from issues, such as, illegal parking, haphazard movement of vehicles, and encroachment.
The over 200-year-old Chowk market, among UP’s oldest markets, would be freed from traffic congestion. “Chaotic traffic movement is the most prominent problem of the market. So, we have decided to tackle that first,” said an administrative officer.
The departments concerned will will also be taking up the issue of illegal parking, which is rampant in Chowk.
In addition, the electricity department will ensure underground wiring in the area, to rid the market of the dangling web of wires that makes the place unsafe.
Work will also be done to give tourists an “encroachment-free view”, said officials.
Besides, the nagar nigam was working to “make special arrangements” to keep the market clean, they said, adding that the job would be carried out under the Clean Indian Mission.
As the part of the drive, the administration has also consulted local shopkeepers and heads of traders’ associations, who have reportedly given a thumbs-up to the revival efforts.
Chowk’s restoration blueprint mentions that the road leading up to it from ‘Gol Darwaza’ will also be decongested.
“At present, the road is crammed with street vendors, illegal constructions and encroachment. It will be made free of all this,” said an official.
The development agencies are also planning to beautify the streets. “Installation of iron angles and concrete pillars on roads is being planned to prevent entry of heavy vehicles -- the main cause of traffic jams,” he added. Officials said similar efforts will also be made to revive Aminabad.
According to the plan, jointly chalked out by the district administration and the LMC, the area would be made free of encroachment -- the first step towards the desired transformation.
District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said, “Efforts are being made to beautify the city and its traditional markets, which are also among prime tourist destinations. Work is expected to start soon.”