Lucknow – The historic heritage zone of Husainabad, falling under the jurisdiction of Thakurganj police station, has become a hotspot for unauthorized renovations and commercial expansions. Shops in the area are undergoing repairs without the necessary approvals, allegedly for the purpose of opening new restaurants, canteens, or cafés.
This comes even as the High Court has issued clear orders to remove encroachments near the Chhota Imambara. However, sources suggest that a new café named ‘Globe’ is set to open in the area despite the ongoing restrictions.
The rapid rise in the number of restaurants around Chhota Imambara is contributing to increased encroachments, yet authorities remain silent. Reports indicate that near the entrance gate of the Imambara, a tenant on lease has been carrying out significant construction work under the guise of repairs—without the required administrative permissions.
The ongoing unauthorized work on these historical structures continues to be overlooked by the administration, raising concerns over potential damage to these invaluable heritage sites. Behind the Satkhanda police outpost, a shop located near the gate is also undergoing renovations without permission from the authorities.
Given the negligence of both the Husainabad Trust—responsible for maintaining these historical structures—and the district administration, heritage conservationists fear irreversible damage to these sites. Despite the Husainabad Trust’s duty to oversee the upkeep of these monuments, unauthorized commercial activities are flourishing right under its nose.
This administrative oversight has paved the way for influential shopkeepers to flout regulations, raising suspicions of a larger deal being struck behind the scenes. Has the administration been compelled to turn a blind eye, or is this part of a wider network of influence and power?
The coming days will reveal whether the authorities take action against these violations or if influential figures continue to operate with impunity. Meanwhile, one of India’s most renowned historical zones faces the risk of being overrun by unchecked commercialization, despite court directives and heritage conservation concerns.
