Mayor Sushma Kharkwal Raises Key Concerns in Traffic Committee Meeting, Urges Stern Action on Encroachment in Lalbagh and Kaiserbagh
Lucknow — In a high-level meeting of the Traffic Committee convened at the Commissioner’s Office, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal strongly raised several pressing civic concerns related to the city’s traffic situation. The meeting was chaired by Divisional Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob and Police Commissioner Amrendra Kumar Sengar, with District Magistrate Vishakh Iyer, MP and MLA representatives, Joint CP Bablu Kumar, Municipal Commissioner Shri Gaurav Kumar, and other senior officials from multiple departments in attendance.
Mayor Kharkwal emphatically highlighted the severe traffic disruption caused by rampant encroachment in the Lalbagh and Kaiserbagh areas. She called for immediate and strict action, stating that the misuse of public roads as makeshift garages and markets must be curbed without delay.
She also expressed deep concern over child begging at traffic signals and intersections, terming it both a law and order issue and a grave injustice to the children’s future. She urged for concrete, sensitive, and coordinated measures to address this problem.
Another major issue raised by the Mayor was the growing practice of roadways buses stopping mid-road to pick up passengers. She stated that this not only creates bottlenecks and traffic jams but also significantly increases the risk of accidents. She called for immediate enforcement to regulate bus operations more strictly.
Responding to her concerns, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob and Joint CP Bablu Kumar acknowledged the gravity of the issues and assured prompt action. They also stated that these concerns would be given priority in upcoming traffic management plans.
The meeting also included discussions on other critical areas such as removing encroachments, widening roads, tackling illegal parking, improving street lighting systems, and addressing irregularities involving e-rickshaws and underage drivers. Mayor Kharkwal reiterated that while the municipal corporation is fulfilling its responsibilities as per government directives, police cooperation is crucial to ensure that cleared encroachments do not reappear.
She further pointed out civic infrastructure issues, such as waterlogging on Sultanpur Road in Ahmamau due to incomplete drain construction by NHAI and the persisting sewer line disruption from Munshipulia to Khurramnagar caused during overbridge construction. The Divisional Commissioner issued directives to NHAI for urgent intervention on these matters.
In her closing remarks, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal affirmed the city administration’s commitment to creating a safer, smoother, and more robust traffic system. “Strengthening Lucknow’s traffic infrastructure is our top priority, and the municipal corporation is fully dedicated to this mission,” she said.
