Plan cultural calendar, events along Gomti: CS
The city’s lifeline – Gomti River undergoing a multi-crore makeover – would soon have a cultural calendar of its own to attract domestic and foreign tourists. Authorities involved in the riverfront development programme have been asked to plan sports activities, leisure, cultural and entertainment events along the banks of the river that runs through the city.
The first such big event has been planned in the form of a cricket match in the newly built cricket stadium cum sports complex near Shaheed Path in Gomti Nagar Extension on October 2. But while the city would have to wait to witness a clash of international level, the October cricketing event would see cricket teams from rural areas contesting for the winner’s cup.
Water sports would be another attraction to watch out for. Chief secretary Deepak Singhal, who reviewed the progress of ongoing beautification and development work on Gomti River on Wednesday, has asked the officials to come up with an events’ calendar within 15 days. Apart from entertainment and cultural events, the plan would also include holding exhibitions to showcase local talent in embroidery and crafts, specially chikan and zardozi.
The CS also asked the authorities to launch a publicity campaign through print, electronic media and social platforms and inform the people about the work being done on the riverfront.
“We should hold events every month to attract tourists and make the river a hub of cultural programmes and entertainment activities,” Singhal said adding that artisans of famous Lakhnawi Chikankaari and other handicrafts should be contacted for this purpose.
The CS directed principal secretary and head of department of Irrigation to take appropriate steps for installation of a worldclass fountain at Gomti riverfront
We should hold events every month to attract tourists and make the river a hub of cultural programmes and entertainment activities. DEEPAK SINGHAL, Chief secretary
within the cost approved by the Expenditure Finance Committee.
He said that construction of cycle track along with other development works should be carried out along the banks of Gomti River on priority.
The irrigation department officials were told to expedite plantation and greenery work along the banks and finish it by August 15.
They were asked to nominate a departmental nodal officer along with sector-wise deployment of one assistant engineer and a junior engineer.
District magistrate, Lucknow was made the nodal officer for tree-plantation and asked to coordinate with executing agency and officials of forest and irrigation departments for smooth execution of the work. September 15 was set as the deadline for completing work on the proposed rubber dam plant.
The officials were told to keep 15-20 boats ready to remove Jalkumbhi (weeds) from the river and take steps to ensure that untreated sewer water did not flow into the river.