DM orders removal of encroachments
LUCKNOW: District administration has ordered immediate action against encroachers and removal of encroachments from the Sibtainabad Imambada gate in Hazratganj. The move came a day after the administration of the Sibtainabad Imambada approached district magistrate highlighting the encroachment near the gate of the Imambada, a major portion of which had collapsed on April 2, and now it is under construction.
“Sibtainabad Imambada gate is in dilapidated shape since a major portion of the gate collapsed on April 2, during the lockdown. It is to bring into your kind knowledge that a few shops that are located in other part of the same gate , have started functioning, which indeed is a serious threat to lives of hundreds of people,” the letter from Yashab Hussain Rizvi, secretary of Waqf Imambada, Sibtainabad Committee, addressed to DM, said.
The outer gate of the Lucknow’s historical and heavily encroached Sibtainabad Imambada
in Hazratganj collapsed on April 2.
However, no one was hurt as shops located near the gate were closed due to the lockdown.
The 173-year-old gate, situated in the heart of the city, historians say was built in 1847 along with the Imambada, which was inaugurated by Amjad Ali Shah, the fourth King of Awadh. But it could not be completed during his lifetime, and it was left to his son, Wajid Ali Shah, to complete the edifice.
Yashab Hussain Rizvi, secretary of Waqf Imambada, Sibtainabad
Committee said, “Shops operating near the half collapsed gate could have lead to severe consequences.”
“Hence we approach the district administration, demanding immediate intervention. We also demand early restoration of the gate, regarding which we had given a written complaint against those responsible behind the gate collapse,” he said.
District magistrate (DM) Abhishek Prakash has directed city magistrate to look into the matter and to submit a report to him at the earliest.